Pounamu - Jade

The interior walls of the whare whakairo (carved meeting house) are adorned with carvings called poupou. Each poupou in a meeting house connects to a common ancestor, after whom the house was named. Spaced evenly along the inside walls, each poupou supported a rafter panel which extended from the main central ridge, reinforcing the importance of whakapapa (genealogy) to the living generations.

Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)

Measurements: 112mm x 68mm

Hei tiki are the best known of all Māori adornments. Tiki are symbols of fertility that depict a new-born child. They are often family heirlooms bearing personal names and embodying their wearers lineage. As with most Māori personal adornments, hei tiki are often passed down generationally.

Material: Pounamu (Tokatea)

Measurements: 80mm x 48mm x 8mm

Hei tiki are the best known of all Māori adornments. Tiki are symbols of fertility that depict a new-born child. They are often family heirlooms bearing personal names and embodying their wearers lineage. As with most Māori personal adornments, hei tiki are often passed down generationally.

Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)

Measurements: 140mm x 67mm x 15mm

Hei tiki are the best known of all Māori adornments. Tiki are symbols of fertility that depict a new-born child. They are often family heirlooms bearing personal names and embodying their wearers lineage. As with most Māori personal adornments, hei tiki are often passed down generationally.

Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)

Measurements: 95mm x 40mm x 16mm

Kurupapa are long slender pendants typically crafted from pounamu (NZ Jade) or bone. Customarily they were very popular personal adornments. Kurupapa are still commonly worn as pendants and earrings. As with most Māori personal adornments kurupapa are often passed down generationally.

Material: Onewa (Greywacke)

Measurements: 100mm x 19mm x 9mm

This manu (bird) form is a variation of the kapeu which are slender adornments with a slight bend at the bottom and were often worn as ear pendants. This kapeu has been fashioned from pounamu (New Zealand Jade). Kapeu were highly prized and a sign of high rank in Māori society. They are commonly also worn as neck pendants.

Material: Pounamu (Tokatea)

Measurements: 133mm x 19mm

Coastal and river-based Māori tribes traditionally used a variety of fishhooks and lures. Hooks and lures varied in shape, material and design. Today hei matau (fishhooks) have become symbolic of traditional Māori technology and continue to symbolize a relationship to Tangaroa, God of the sea.

Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)

Measurements: 55mm x 60mm

This manu (bird) form is a variation of the kapeu which are slender adornments with a slight bend at the bottom and were often worn as ear pendants. This kapeu has been fashioned from pounamu (New Zealand Jade). Kapeu were highly prized and a sign of high rank in Māori society. They are commonly also worn as neck pendants.

Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)

Measurements: 120mm x 15mm x 8mm

Kurupapa are long slender pendants typically crafted from pounamu (NZ Jade) or bone. Customarily they were very popular personal adornments. Kurupapa are still commonly worn as pendants and earrings. As with most Māori personal adornments kurupapa are often passed down generationally.

Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)

Measurements: 140mm x 11mm

Whakakaipiko (Aupiko) forms were given as a symbol of endearment. Whakakaipiko are long and slender personal adornments characterised by a ‘piko’ or kink in the body of the pendant. Customarily they were used as a pin for fastening cloaks and may be made from bone, stone, wood or shell. Whakakaipiko are commonly worn as pendants.

Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)

Measurements: 92mm x 13mm

Kapeu are slender adornments with a slight bend at the bottom and were often worn as ear pendants. Kapeu were highly prized and a sign of high rank in Māori society. They are commonly also worn as neck pendants. As with most Māori personal adornments kapeu are often passed down generationally

Material: Pounamu (Matie)

Measurements: 71mm x 9mm

This manu (bird) form is a variation of the kapeu which are slender adornments with a slight bend at the bottom and were often worn as ear pendants. This kapeu has been fashioned from pounamu (New Zealand Jade). Kapeu were highly prized and a sign of high rank in Māori society. They are commonly also worn as neck pendants.

Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)

Measurements: 65mm X 15mm