Te Papa Store hosts many taonga with pounamu being among our most popular. This guide outlines and illustrates mātauranga of common varieties and designs to help you on your journey of pounamu.

Found only in the waters of Te Waipounamu, the place of greenstone, pounamu is Aotearoa's most prized natural resource.

Pounamu Varieties

Pounamu comes in a variety of colours shaped by the conditions of the riverbeds and variations in mineral composites. 

Auhunga is frosty and sometimes opaque. The colour and texture commonly lie between Inanga and Kawakawa with a muted, matte surface.

Inanga is named after juvenile native minnow (whitebait), is a pearly white, greyish green, and blue colour. Inanga can be translucent or opaque.

Kahurangi a flawless apple green and highly translucent. This variety is named after the clearness of the sky, and most sought after as a valuable variety.

Kawakawa  rich to intense dark green, at times almost black. Kawakawa is dusted in dark speckles like the leaves of the rākau it draws it’s name from.

Kōkopu is named after the native freshwater mountain trout, is most recognisable by its distinctive brown spots. Kōkopu is a rich, creamy brown-green colour.

Pīpīwharauroa named after the Shining Bronze Cuckoo, has green and white shimmering veins that reflect in the light causing a chatoyant effect.

Putiputi (Flower or Marsden Jade)  ranges from transparent inanga to rich kahurangi greens and intense dark kawakawa. Putiputi’s distinctive gold flourishes are unique to Aotearoa pounamu.

Raukaraka draws its name the karaka tree’s orange fruit. Raukaraka is a variation of Kawakawa, bleeding vibrant orange from oxidized crusts.

Totoweka is identified by their spotting and streaks of red. The name comes from toto (blood) and weka (native woodhen).

Tangiwai (Bowenite) is translucent and is occasionally as transparent as glass. Translated, tangi means to cry, and wai is water.

Common designs and symbols of Māori taonga

Hei Tiki are multifaceted taonga. While Hei Tiki are commonly believed to be representative forms of ancestors or the first man, there are beliefs that Hei Tiki symbolise and draw connection to Hine-i-te-iwaiwa (the early ancestor associated with fertility).

Hei Matau traditionally worn as a tool, the Hei Matau has now come to reflect connection to Tangaroa (atua of the sea) providing safety when travelling over water.

Manaia kaitiaki (guardian) of earthly and spirit realms, featuring the head of manu (bird), body of ira tangata (of human), and the tail of ika (fish).

Pekapeka are a stylisation of our native bat that highlights the duality and connection between earthly and spirit realms.

Toki symbol of strength, courage, and power.

Roimata a softer form of Toki representing a teardrop, roimata personify empathy and compassion.

Koru unfurling fern frond represent new life and growth.

Pikorua/Raukumara represents a strong eternal bond between two people.

Kōpae/Porowhita cyclical journeys of life, discovery, energy, and relationships.

Niho Protection, strength, and tenacity – niho reflect the power of mangō (sharks).