Nephrite jade in New Zealand is known as pounamu in the Māori language, and is highly valued, playing an important role in Māori culture.
It is considered a taonga, or treasure, and therefore  protected under the Treaty of Waitangi.
The exploitation of it is restricted to Ngāi Tahu and closely monitored.
The South Island of New Zealand is Te Wai Pounamu in Māori — "The [land of] Greenstone Water" — because that is where it occurs.

Weapons and ornaments are made of it; in particular the mere (short club), and the hei-tiki (neck pendant).
These are believed to have their own mana, are handed down as valuable heirlooms, and often given as gifts to seal important agreements.
It has also been used for a range of tools such as adzes, as Māori had no metal tools before European contact.

Commonly called "greenstone", jade jewellery in Māori designs is widely popular with tourists.
Stone is often imported from Canada, China and Siberia, and Ngāi Tahu runs a pounamu certification scheme to verify the authenticity of New Zealand stone.
Nephrite jade in New Zealand is known as pounamu in the Māori language, and is highly valued, playing an important role in Māori culture. It is considered a taonga, or treasure, and therefore  protected under the Treaty of Waitangi. The exploitation of it is restricted to Ngāi Tahu and closely monitored. The South Island of New Zealand is Te Wai Pounamu in Māori — "The [land of] Greenstone Water" — because that is where it occurs.
Weapons and ornaments are made of it; in particular the mere (short club), and the hei-tiki (neck pendant). These are believed to have their own mana, are handed down as valuable heirlooms, and often given as gifts to seal important agreements. It has also been used for a range of tools such as adzes, as Māori had no metal tools before European contact.
Commonly called "greenstone", jade jewellery in Māori designs is widely popular with tourists. Stone is often imported from Canada, China and Siberia, and Ngāi Tahu runs a pounamu certification scheme to verify the authenticity of New Zealand stone.
Nephrite