Pounamu - Weapons of honour

Mere pounamu (nephrite weapons) are symbols of status and authority.

Two of these weapons were taken by the winners of battles. The other was involved in an event where a customary protocol was disregarded.

'Tawhito Whenua' mere pounamu

This famous mere pounamu (nephrite weapon) is named Tawhito Whenua. The weapon once belonged to Te Kekerengu, an important chief of the Ngāti Ira iwi (tribe) of Wellington.

In 1824, Ngāti Ira was defeated by Taranaki tribes in alliance with Ngāti Toa. Te Kekerengu and his family were surrounded at Tapu-te-ranga, Island Bay. A lament sung by Te Kekerengu’s esteemed mother, Tamairangi, moved the Ngāti Toa chief, Te Rangihaeata, to spare their lives. However, he took Tawhito Whenua, signifying his authority.

Te Rangihaeata died in 1855, and Tawhito Whenua passed to his first cousin, Hohepa Tamaihengia. The weapon then passed to Airini Karauria Tonore (Donnelly) (1855–1909), an influential leader of Ngāti Kahungunu in the Wairarapa.

'Horokiwi' mere pounamu - lore enforcer

Horokiwi is the name of this mere pounamu (nephrite weapon). The weapon once belonged to Ihaia Porutu, a chief at Pipitea Pā (fortified village), Wellington.

On 7 March 1840, a young English orphan named Thomas Wilmor McKenzie arrived by ship at Pito-one (Petone). Soon after, McKenzie visited Pipitea Pā with other settlers. There, he wandered into a newly built house – violating a law of tapu (restriction).

It is believed that Ihaia was about to enforce tikanga (customary protocols) by using Horokiwi to kill the boy. But Ihaia’s wife, Ruhia, threw her cloak over McKenzie to protect him. From then on, he was granted a special place in the tribe.