Puawai Jade

Puawai Jade is a pounamu carving studio and gallery in the heart of Rotorua, led by master carver Niki Nepia — a highly accomplished artist fluent in traditional Māori carving forms who has studied and exhibited internationally in China. Located on Eat Streat, visitors can watch carvers at work on site as they transform authentic New Zealand pounamu into pendants, sculptures and fine jewellery set in gold and silver. The studio features work by Niki and other highly skilled New Zealand artists, with over 95% of pieces made from genuine NZ pounamu. Custom-designed carvings are available on request, with new designs featured each month.