Trace my Pounamu

Your carving N200U5PS is certified New Zealand Pounamu

Authentic Ngāi Tahu Pounamu

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu guarantees that your piece is carved from genuine Ngāi Tahu Pounamu

Roimata

Your Roimata

All Pounamu is sacred and highly valued by Ngāi Tahu, the most southern tribe of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Carving this sacred stone has been a cornerstone of our culture for hundreds of years and we are honoured that you have chosen to adorn yourself with this most sacred gift.

Meaning tears of sadness or grief, these are named for their teardrop shape, and are widely regarded as touchstones in healing and meditation. Roimata carvings are also believed to hold strong connection to the land.


Your Artisan

Paul Graham

"Working with Authentic New Zealand Pounamu is passion and a privilege"

My carving journey began in 2002 and my love for working with it continues to grow deeper.  When the opportunity to become part of the authentication system q I jumped at the chance and have never looked back,  I carve from my studio in Manutuke in Gisborne, and I am lucky  that I can have my family around me throughout the day while I work. When someone asks me to make a taonga my goal is to make sure the are completely happy, so I involve them as much as possible throughout the process so that I can really understand what they are looking for.

 

I see carving as a continual journey and make every effort to improve and learn more about  this precious taonga, I am very thankful to the Kaitiaki of Pounamu for the opportunity to be involved and I am looking forward to what the future brings.

Cheers Paul 

 

 


N5AFYGX

Your Rawstone

Stone Reference:N5AFYGX

Size:470 x 270 x 140

Type:Hapopo

Weight:35.40 Kg

Origin:Te Tai o Poutini

Rūnanga:Waewae


Hapopo

This stone is Hapopo. It's colour ranges from meduim green to a dark forest green with a unique mottled texture. The name orginating from Kā Umu o Hapopo (Big Bay) which is located in Poutini ki te toka (South Westland)

Hapopo

Tai Tai o Poutini

Your Origin

Te Tai o Poutini

Your stone comes from the South Island of New Zealand. As this is the only place where New Zealand greenstone is found the name of this island in Māori is Te Waipounamu (the Greenstone Isle).

This stone is a taonga (treasure) to Ngāi Tahu, and in particular the peoples of Te Tai o Poutini, the West Coast of the South Island where most pounamu is found and carved.

The stone began it’s journey here millions of years ago, the mountains of the Te Waipounamu forming in this time and, in doing so, pushing the narrow bands of earth containing Pounamu up to the surface. From here the action of rivers and glaciers released the stone from its host rock into screes, river gravel and glacial deposits.

This stone is now yours to protect, to treasure and, eventually, to pass on to the next generation.