KO WAI MĀTOU | ABOUT US
Waewae Pounamu is a small, hapū-owned business that source, carve and sell traditional and contemporary pounamu treasures.
Additionally, we distribute orders for commercial clients, including companies and universities.
We also wholesale for Ngāi Tahu Pounamu, who then distribute taonga to 70+ stores nation-wide.
Our Why
Providing genuine New Zealand greenstone carved by local artisans.
Our membership with the Ngāi Tahu Pounamu authentication system guarantees that the greenstone was obtained by rightful means and treated with appropriate cultural care.
The Legislation
In 1997, the New Zealand Government returned the rights of greenstone
ownership to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, the elected tribal council of the iwi through the iwi Deed of Settlement. This was given effect through the passing of the Ngāi Tahu (Pounamu Vesting) Act 1997 on 25 September 1997. This recognises that in selling land to the Crown last century, Ngāi Tahu never intended to give up ownership of the highly-prized Pounamu resource. As the legislation has now been passed, ownership of Pounamu has returned to Ngāi Tahu.
Ngāi Tahu are therefore the kaitiaki of all South Island greenstone within their takiwā (tribal boundary), the only known source of authentic New Zealand pounamu. This was a huge moment both for the tribe and for the greater identity of Aotearoa.
In order to protect Pounamu in a sustainable and responsible way for future generations, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu have developed an authentication system to certify products made from genuine New Zealand Greenstone. Similar systems are commonly used throughout the world in industries such as diamonds, wool and organic foods.
Waewae Pounamu is proud to be part of the Ngāi Tahu Pounamu authentication system. All authenticated Ngāi Tahu Pounamu carry a unique traceability code that identifies the origin and whakapapa (genealogy) of the raw stone, how it was extracted and processed and who the artist was that carved it. This is the only way the buyer of the stone knows it has been obtained legitimately and carved responsibly.
Our membership in this programme means all Waewae Pounamu pieces carry a unique traceability barcode. When entered online this code identifies the origin and history of the carving, the system guaranteeing the stone was obtained by rightful means and treated with appropriate cultural care.
Go to Ngāi Tahu Pounamu to learn more about the Authentication Scheme, or go to the Ngāi Tahu (Pounamu Vesting) Act 1997 to learn more about the legislation.
