Find Pounamu Near You
Explore Pounamu by Region
From the far north to the southern fiords, find carvers, galleries and shops across every region of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Pounamu itself is only found naturally in the South Island, but genuine, New Zealand-carved greenstone is sold by trusted carvers, galleries and shops in every part of the country. Where you buy from doesn't determine authenticity on its own, what matters most is the seller's transparency about where the stone came from and who carved it. Our authenticity guide covers what to look for, and our history and origins guide explains where pounamu actually comes from.
North Island
South Island
New to pounamu?
Start on the West Coast
If you're not sure where to begin, the West Coast, and the town of Hokitika in particular, is the historic heartland of pounamu carving in New Zealand. It's home to the highest concentration of carvers in the country and the natural source of most of the stone sold nationwide.
Explore the West CoastAre you a pounamu carver, gallery or shop owner?
List your business on PounamuGuide and connect with people looking for authentic, New Zealand-carved pounamu in your region.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pounamu in New Zealand
Pounamu is found only in the South Island, mainly along the West Coast, with smaller natural deposits in Fiordland, western Southland, and the Nelson and Tasman district. See our history and origins guide for more on where and how pounamu forms.
Yes. While pounamu itself only occurs naturally in the South Island, carvers, galleries and shops across the North Island sell genuine New Zealand greenstone sourced from the South Island. Our buying and gifting guide covers what to look for wherever you shop.
The West Coast, particularly the town of Hokitika, has historically been home to the highest concentration of pounamu carvers in New Zealand, owing to its closeness to the main nephrite sources along the Arahura River and surrounding area.
No. Some greenstone sold in New Zealand, particularly in souvenir and gift shops, is jade imported from overseas rather than genuine pounamu. Our authenticity guide explains how to tell the difference before you buy.
Not directly. What matters most is the seller's transparency about where the stone was sourced and who carved it, regardless of which region you're buying from. That said, shops closer to the South Island's natural sources, such as the West Coast or Nelson and Tasman, are often more likely to carry locally carved pieces with clear provenance.