Region Guide
Pounamu in Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara
While Wellington is not a source region for pounamu, it has become a strong centre for New Zealand greenstone art and culture.
The city is home to skilled carvers, galleries, and cultural institutions where visitors can explore authentic pounamu and learn about its significance in Māori culture.
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa holds one of Aotearoa's most important collections of pounamu taonga, offering insight into the history, artistry, and cultural value of greenstone. Visitors can see rare and historic pieces alongside contemporary works, making it one of the best places in the country to understand pounamu's place in Māori tradition.
Across Wellington, Lower Hutt, Porirua, and the Kapiti Coast, galleries and independent carvers offer everything from traditional carvings to contemporary jewellery and custom pieces, helping keep this important art form alive.
On this page you will find a selection of pounamu galleries and shops in Wellington, where visitors can discover authentic handcrafted pieces and connect with the cultural story behind each taonga.
Pounamu Carvers, Galleries & Shops in Wellington
The Wellington Region is home to a growing community of pounamu (greenstone) artists, galleries, and cultural spaces. Many respected carvers and retailers are based in Wellington City, Lower Hutt, Porirua, and the Kapiti Coast, where visitors can discover authentic pounamu and contemporary Māori craftsmanship.
GalleryKura Gallery
Te Aro, Wellington
Contemporary Māori art gallery near Courtenay Place, featuring pounamu alongside traditional and contemporary Māori carving, jewellery and design from artists across Aotearoa, and a licensed Toi Iho stockist.
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GalleryOra Gallery
Te Aro, Wellington
Contemporary Māori art gallery featuring pounamu alongside other indigenous art forms. An active gallery space near Courtenay Place showcasing art and design unique to Aotearoa from a diverse range of New Zealand artists.
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ShopSouvenir Factory Shop
Miramar, Wellington
Family-owned Wellington souvenir shop close to the airport, stocking genuine pounamu jewellery and carvings from the West Coast alongside a wider range of New Zealand-made gifts and Kiwiana.
View ListingFrequently Asked Questions about Pounamu in Wellington
No. Pounamu comes only from rivers in Te Wāhipounamu on the South Island, primarily on the West Coast. The pounamu sold and exhibited in Wellington has been carried there by galleries, retailers and carvers rather than sourced locally.
Kura Gallery and Ora Gallery, both near Courtenay Place, feature pounamu alongside contemporary Māori and New Zealand art, while Souvenir Factory Shop in Miramar stocks pounamu jewellery and carvings as part of a wider range of New Zealand souvenirs.
Ask the retailer where the stone was sourced and who carved it. A reputable seller will be transparent about provenance. For more detail on spotting genuine pounamu, see our full authenticity guide.
There is no such thing as Wellington pounamu; the stone itself only comes from the South Island. Pieces sold or exhibited in Wellington are the same New Zealand greenstone found elsewhere in the country, carved by artists from around Aotearoa and sold through local galleries and shops.