page_title: Hei-tiki
hierarchical_section_title: Hei-tiki
caption_attribution_description: English: New Zealand (Aotearoa), Maori, circa 18th century Jewelry and Adornments; pendants Nephrite and Haliotis shell The Phil Berg Collection (M.71.73.156) Art of the Pacific
context_page_description: The hei-tiki is an ornamental pendant of the Māori of New Zealand. Hei-tiki are usually made of pounamu, and are considered a taonga by Māori. They are commonly called tiki by New Zealanders, a term that actually refers to large human figures carved in wood and to the small wooden carvings used to mark sacred places.
  Retailers sell tourist versions of hei-tiki throughout New Zealand—these can be made from jade, other types of stone, plastic, or other materials.
context_section_description: The hei-tiki (/heɪˈtɪki/) is an ornamental pendant of the Māori of New Zealand. Hei-tiki are usually made of pounamu (greenstone), and are considered a taonga (treasure) by Māori. They are commonly called tiki by New Zealanders, a term that actually refers to large human figures carved in wood and to the small wooden carvings used to mark sacred places. (The word hei in Māori can mean "to wear around the neck".)
  Retailers sell tourist versions of hei-tiki throughout New Zealand—these can be made from jade, other types of stone, plastic, or other materials.
caption: Hei-tiki; circa 18th century; nephrite and haliotis shell; height: 10.9 cm (4​1⁄4 in.); from New Zealand; Los Angeles County Museum of Art (USA)
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