Explore our Toki Adze Pendant collection, where each pounamu (greenstone) piece symbolises resilience, strength, and determination. Once an essential tool for Māori, the Toki was used for tasks like carving waka (canoes) and constructing whare (meeting houses). Traditionally worn by rangatira (chiefs) as a sign of power and wisdom, it evolved into a powerful symbol of courage and fortitude, especially in adversity. Today, the Toki is a meaningful gift to offer strength and courage or to honour someone’s leadership and wisdom.
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Flowing through each pounamu is a story, of our culture, our whānau, our people.
What are the types of pounamu pendants?
There are many pounamu pendant shapes, each with its own form and feel. Traditional designs such as the pounamu koru pendant, pounamu toki pendant, and pounamu heart pendant are among the most recognised, alongside simpler forms that highlight the natural beauty of the stone.
You’ll also see colour variation in the pounamu itself, from darker kawakawa tones through to vivid green kahurangi pounamu pendants, each influencing the final look and character of the piece.
Meaning & symbolism
Many pounamu pendant meanings are grounded in Māori tradition, where different shapes are associated with ideas such as growth, strength, and connection. The koru (sprial) is often linked to frond of the native sliver fern and repfresnet growth and new beginnings, the toki (adze) to resilience and purpose, and the heart (manawa) to aroha and relationships.
While these meanings provide a guide, the significance of a pounamu necklace often becomes personal, shaped by who it is for, when it is given, and the story it carries over time.
Who is pounamu for?
A pounamu pendant can be chosen for yourself or gifted to someone else, often to mark a moment, relationship, or milestone. Whether it’s a traditional Māori pounamu necklace design or a more contemporary jade pendant necklace, the right piece is usually the one that feels right when you see it.
Pounamu is worn across generations and styles, making it something that can be worn every day or carried for deeper meaning.
Why choose Arrowtown Stonework?
At Arrowtown Stonework, the experience of choosing comes first — whether you’re searching for a pounamu pendant or a greenstone necklace.
We bring together whānau heritage, over 40 years of carving knowledge, and long-standing relationships with trusted New Zealand carvers, connecting people through pounamu. Master carver Lee-Roy Mullings (Ngāti Kahungunu) has carved pounamu in Arrowtown since 1985, and his work continues to shape the knowledge and care behind our collection.
We guide people to a piece of pounamu that feels right, one that carries story, symbolism, and connection.
FAQs
A pounamu pendant is a piece of jewellery carved from New Zealand greenstone (pounamu), traditionally worn as a symbol of connection, strength, and protection. Each pounamu pendant is unique in colour and pattern, making it a meaningful and personal taonga.
The meaning of a pounamu pendant depends on its shape and design. Common meanings include strength, unity, protection, and new beginnings. For example, a koru symbolises growth, while a toki represents strength and courage.
Popular pounamu pendant shapes include:
- Koru (new beginnings and growth)
- Toki (strength and determination)
- Pikorua (eternal connection)
- Roimata (healing and comfort)
- Heart (love and aroha)
Each shape carries its own symbolism. Browse our full guide to pounamu meanings to find the right fit.
Traditionally, pounamu is gifted, passed from one person to another as a gesture of connection and aroha. Many people also choose their own piece as a mark of a personal milestone, journey, or intention. Both are valid. The meaning you bring to it matters most.
Pounamu is a type of jade found only in New Zealand. While all pounamu is jade, not all jade is pounamu. A New Zealand greenstone necklace is highly valued for its cultural significance and its deep connection to Māori heritage.
Start with meaning. Each shape carries specific symbolism, a koru for new beginnings, a toki for strength, a pikorua for an enduring bond. If nothing calls to you immediately, let the stone itself guide you. Colour, pattern, and feel are part of it. No two pieces are the same, and the right one tends to make itself obvious.
Yes. Natural variations in the stone mean no two pieces are exactly alike, giving each pendant its own character and story.
es, pounamu is durable and well suited to everyday wear. Over time the stone develops a natural sheen from being worn, adding to its character.
Yes, it's one of the most meaningful gifts you can give. Pounamu carries aroha, connection, and shared history, making it well suited to birthdays, anniversaries, and significant life milestones.