About Pounamu Guide
An independent guide to authentic New Zealand greenstone, and the carvers, galleries, and shops behind it.
The Problem We Solved
Pounamu, New Zealand greenstone, is one of the most treasured materials in the world. It carries deep cultural significance, extraordinary natural beauty, and a story that stretches back centuries. But if you've ever tried to find an authentic pounamu carver, gallery, or shop online, you'll know how difficult it can be.
Search results are cluttered with mass-produced imports, generic souvenir sites, and listings that give you no sense of who made the piece or where the stone came from. For something as meaningful as pounamu, that's not good enough.
We built Pounamu Guide to fix that.
What Pounamu Guide Is
Pounamu Guide is New Zealand's dedicated resource for everything pounamu, a directory of authentic carvers, galleries, and shops, combined with in-depth guides to help you understand and appreciate greenstone before you buy. Every listing on this site represents a real place, run by real people, selling genuine New Zealand greenstone.
Whether you're a visitor planning a trip to the South Island, a local looking for a meaningful gift, or someone searching for the perfect taonga to mark a special occasion, Pounamu Guide helps you find exactly the right place to buy with confidence.
We don't sell pounamu ourselves. We simply connect you with the people who do it best.
What You'll Find Here
Carvers
Independent artists who design and hand-carve each piece, often from stone they've personally sourced. The best place to find truly one-of-a-kind taonga.
Galleries
Curated spaces showcasing pounamu alongside other New Zealand art and craft. Ideal for exploring the full range of what greenstone can be.
Shops
Trusted retailers stocking authenticated pounamu jewellery and carvings, from Hokitika to Auckland, Queenstown to Wellington. Many carry Ngāi Tahu-certified pieces with guaranteed provenance.
Guides
In-depth guides covering everything there is to know about pounamu: the different stone types, what the carvings mean, how to spot genuine greenstone, the best places to buy, and much more.
Every listing includes location, contact details, and a description to help you decide before you visit or get in touch.
Are You a Carver, Gallery, or Shop?
If you sell authentic New Zealand pounamu, we'd love to feature you. Being listed here puts your business in front of people actively searching for genuine greenstone from trusted New Zealand sources.
- Independent pounamu carvers and studios
- Galleries and art spaces stocking authenticated pounamu
- Retail shops selling certified New Zealand greenstone jewellery and carvings
Our Standards
- Every listing represents a real place, run by real people, selling genuine New Zealand greenstone, not mass-produced imports relabelled as pounamu.
- We prioritise authentic voices, verified sources, and transparent information wherever possible across every guide and listing on this site.
- We don't sell pounamu ourselves and have no commercial stake in which carver, gallery, or shop you choose, we simply connect you with the people who do it best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pounamu Guide sell pounamu directly?+
No. We don't sell pounamu ourselves. We connect visitors with independent carvers, galleries, and shops who sell genuine New Zealand greenstone.
How do I get my business listed on Pounamu Guide?+
Reach out via our contact page with a brief description of your business, your location, and a link to your website or social media. We'll take it from there.
What's the difference between a carver, gallery, and shop listing?+
Carvers are independent artists who hand-carve pieces themselves, often from stone they've personally sourced. Galleries are curated spaces showcasing pounamu alongside other New Zealand art and craft. Shops are retailers stocking authenticated pounamu jewellery and carvings, many carrying Ngāi Tahu-certified pieces with guaranteed provenance.
How does Pounamu Guide make sure listings are genuine?+
Every listing on this site is meant to represent a real place, run by real people, selling genuine New Zealand greenstone. We prioritise authentic voices, verified sources, and transparent information wherever possible.
Pounamu Guide continues to grow as new guides and resources are added. Our long-term goal is to build a trusted reference that helps visitors learn about pounamu and discover authentic carvers throughout New Zealand.