Pounamu in Gisborne
The Gisborne region, known in te reo Māori as Tairāwhiti, sits on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island, the first city in the world to greet each new day. It is a region of deep Māori heritage, dramatic coastline, and a proud connection to the traditions of Ngāti Porou and other iwi of the eastern rohe. Against this backdrop, pounamu (greenstone) holds a special place as a taonga carried north through ancient trade routes from the West Coast of the South Island, gifted and treasured by the people of Tairāwhiti for centuries.
While Gisborne is not a large city, it is home to one of New Zealand’s most celebrated pounamu carving destinations, drawing visitors from across the country who come specifically to watch master carvers at work and discover unique handcrafted greenstone taonga. The region’s small size and relaxed pace mean that pounamu experiences here feel genuinely personal and unhurried, a world away from the tourist shops of larger centres.
On this page you will find a selection of pounamu carvers, greenstone galleries and shops in Gisborne and the Tairāwhiti region, where visitors can discover authentic handcrafted pieces and connect with the story behind each taonga.
Pounamu Carvers, Galleries & Shops in Gisborne
Gisborne’s pounamu scene is intimate and authentic. The Stone Studio on Stanley Road is one of the most respected carving destinations in the entire country, offering visitors a rare chance to watch master carvers Ewan Parker and his son Guy at work on colossal blocks of West Coast nephrite jade.
The Stone Studio
Location: 237 Stanley Road, Awapuni, Gisborne
One of New Zealand’s most celebrated pounamu carving destinations, established in 1997 by Ewan Parker. A long workshop window lets visitors watch master carvers Ewan and Guy Parker hand carve nephrite jade into one of a kind taonga. Stocks an extensive range of greenstone jewellery, sculptures, and New Zealand gifts. Commissions welcome.
About Pounamu in Gisborne
Gisborne’s connection to pounamu runs deep through the traditions of Ngāti Porou and the wider iwi of Tairāwhiti. The eastern coast of the North Island sits at the end of ancient trade routes that carried pounamu northward from Ngāi Tahu territory on the South Island’s West Coast, a journey of hundreds of kilometres over mountain passes and across open sea. Pounamu that arrived in Tairāwhiti was treasured as a mark of wealth, mana, and connection to the spiritual world of the ancestors.
Today that tradition lives on through the hands of carvers like Ewan Parker, whose family connections to pounamu span decades and whose studio on Stanley Road has become a destination in its own right. Watching a carver transform a raw block of West Coast nephrite into a pendant, sculpture, or taonga is one of the most genuinely New Zealand experiences you can have, and in Gisborne, it happens in an intimate, welcoming setting that larger tourist centres cannot replicate.
When purchasing pounamu in Gisborne, look for pieces that use authentic West Coast nephrite jade and are carved by New Zealand artists. To learn more about identifying genuine pounamu before you buy, visit our guide on how to tell if pounamu is real.
Pounamu Resources
Explore authentic greenstone carvers, galleries and shops across New Zealand.
FAQs about Pounamu in Gisborne
Is there a pounamu shop in Gisborne?
Yes. The Stone Studio at 237 Stanley Road in Awapuni is one of New Zealand’s most respected pounamu carving destinations. Established in 1997, it offers an extensive range of handcrafted greenstone jewellery and sculptures, with a workshop window so visitors can watch carvers Ewan and Guy Parker at work. The shop also accepts commissions for custom pieces.
Who are the pounamu carvers at The Stone Studio in Gisborne?
The Stone Studio was founded by master carver Ewan Parker, who has been carving pounamu for several decades and exclusively uses West Coast nephrite jade. His son Guy Parker joined the studio and now leads the business alongside Ewan. Wayne Turnbull is also a carver at the studio. Together they produce some of the most distinctive and celebrated pounamu carvings in New Zealand.
Can I commission a custom pounamu piece in Gisborne?
Yes. The Stone Studio in Gisborne accepts commissions for custom pounamu pieces. You can contact them directly at info@stonestudionz.co.nz or by phone on +64 6 867 3900 to discuss your design, choice of stone, and timeline. Custom commissions are a specialty of the studio and each piece is carved individually by hand.
What is the connection between Gisborne and pounamu historically?
Gisborne sits within the rohe of Ngāti Porou and other iwi of Tairāwhiti who received pounamu through ancient trade routes from Ngāi Tahu in the South Island. These trade routes carried greenstone northward across the length of Aotearoa, with pounamu gifted and exchanged as a taonga representing mana, alliance, and spiritual connection. The tradition of treasuring pounamu in Tairāwhiti stretches back many centuries and continues today through the work of contemporary carvers.