History of Pounamu
Pounamu refers to several types of hard, durable and highly valued nephrite jade, bowentine, and serpentine stone found in southern New Zealand. As the mountains of the South Island formed over the last two million years, the narrow bands containing pounamu were lifted up to the earth’s surface. The action of rivers and glaciers released the stone from its host rock into screes, (river gravel) and glacial deposits.
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Maori use of Pounamu
Initially, Maori used pounamu to make tools. The toki (adze) was a useful hand tool for carving. In addition, ripi pounamu (knives) and scrapers are among the oldest pounamu artefacts known. Other less common items were fish hook barbs, awls, hammer stones, drill points and bird spear points.
In addition to tools, Pounamu was used for jewellery and adornment. A number of items were made from Pounamu, which included motoi.
There were also necklaces – the Hei Tiki, Maniaia, Roimata and thefish hook-shaped hei matau. Pōria kākā were also worn as pendants.
More than 80% of all (jade products) sold and marketed as greenstone in New Zealand are manufactured in Asia from Canadian Jade. Many New Zealand factories and some carvers also use the cheaper Canadian jade.
Kokapu
Kokapu Pounamu refers to the 'Belly of the trout' because of its distinctive similarities .
Totoweka
Weka's Blood .Distinguished by a reddish-brown specks Named after the native bird,protected species weka.
Inanga
Inanga refers to the native fish, whitebait,
kahurangi / Kawakawa
Kawakawa Pounamu on of the darkest form of pounamu. It is not usually translucent and occasionally has black flecks through the stone.
It shares its name with the New Zealand native Kawakawa plant, which is known for Rongoa (its medicinal properties.)
