Pounamu

This is the Maori word for greenstone. The Maori revere greenstone since during pre-European times it took the place of metals. Weapons, tools and jewelry were made from this hard, prized stone known officially as nephrite jade. The entire So. Island is know as "Te Wahi Pounamu", the place of greenstone. On our cruise thru Milford Sound we passed a beach near the sound's outlet to the sea. This bay was a great collection point for the stone. Greenstone was as valuable to the Maori as gold was to Europeans.
We learned just about all you could want to know about this stone in the small coastal town of Greymouth. The store was almost a museum experience. Of course all the tourist shops in most towns have a selection of greenstone. Most of it is quite expensive.