Te Tapu o te Pounamu: Traditional Māori Practices in Modern Pounamu Carving

Pounamu (greenstone) is more than a precious stone in Aotearoa. It is a taonga tuku iho (treasure handed down), imbued with mana, mauri, and deep spiritual significance. For generations, Māori have carved pounamu not only as adornment or tool, but as a sacred act linking the carver, the stone, the ancestors, and the whenua (land).

This guide explores the traditional tikanga and practices of Māori pounamu carving, both in its original form and as it continues today. It also clears up common misconceptions, especially around the spiritual aspects of blessing and carving.

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He Taonga, He Tapu: The Sacred Nature of Pounamu

Pounamu is found only in Te Wai Pounamu (the South Island of New Zealand), especially in the rivers and valleys of Te Tai Poutini (the West Coast). It is considered tapu (sacred), with mauri (life force) of its own, and is traditionally used to craft:

• Hei tiki and pendants, worn as symbols of whakapapa and protection
• Tools and weapons such as mere and adzes, valued for their durability and prestige
• Taonga tuku iho, handed down through generations as heirlooms

The value of pounamu lies not just in its beauty or rarity, but in the spiritual, genealogical, and cultural connections it embodies.

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The Role of the Kaiwhakairo (Carver)

A kaiwhakairo pounamu is not simply an artist or craftsman. Traditionally, they were seen as kaitiaki (guardians) of knowledge, with their role steeped in wānanga (sacred learning), whakapapa, and tapu.

1. Whakapapa and Knowledge Transmission

Carvers learned through intergenerational apprenticeship, often within their whānau or iwi. Knowledge was passed down orally and experientially, linking each carver to their ancestors and the spiritual world.

2. Tikanga of the Carving Process

Before beginning work with pounamu, traditional tikanga guided the process:

• Acknowledging the whenua from which the stone came, often through karakia (prayers or incantations) when retrieving or working with a stone
• Observing tapu. Carvers followed strict practices around food, water, and interactions while carving, depending on iwi protocols

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Tools and Techniques: Traditional vs Modern

Traditional Carving Methods

Early Māori carvers shaped pounamu using:

• Stone tools like sandstone and quartz for grinding
• Cord drills with sharp stone points and flax cords
• Sand and water as abrasives

Carving was an extremely slow and precise process, taking weeks or even months for a single piece. This time reflected the sacredness of the act and the mana of the resulting taonga.

Modern Adaptations

Today, many carvers still honour the intention and tikanga of traditional methods, while using tools such as:

• Diamond-tipped drills and grinders
• Rotary tools for fine detail
• Water-cooled lapidary equipment to reduce heat and protect the stone

Even with modern tools, traditional values are often maintained:

• Working in silence or with karakia
• Avoiding waste out of respect for the stone’s mauri
• Retaining the stone’s natural form and lines where possible

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Spiritual Practice: Clarifying the Myth of “Blessing” by the Carver

A common misconception is that Māori carvers would bless their finished carvings. Historically, this is not accurate.

What’s True:

• Karakia might be offered at the start of carving, acknowledging the stone, its origin, and ensuring safe, respectful practice
• Carvers may treat their workspace or stone as tapu, with personal tikanga, especially for significant occasions or people

What’s Misunderstood:

• There is no traditional requirement for carvers to bless a completed carving. The spiritual power (mana) of the piece is believed to come from:
  • The stone’s mauri
  • The intention and whakapapa of the carver
  • The relationship between giver and receiver

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Gifting and Blessing in Modern Tikanga

In today’s practice:

• The giver of the pounamu may offer a karakia when passing it on, imbuing the stone with intention or protection
• The recipient may choose to have the taonga blessed by a kaumātua, tohunga, or spiritual advisor, especially if the stone is worn for protection, mourning, or milestones

However, blessing is not compulsory. Many carvers feel that simply wearing the pounamu, connecting with it, and respecting its story gives it power.

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Conclusion: A Living Practice, Rooted in Tikanga

Carving pounamu bridges past and present, physical and spiritual, individual and iwi. Respect for the stone, the process, and the whakapapa it carries remains central to both traditional and modern artistry.

Whether carved by hand or machine, each taonga carries a story, a connection, and a spiritual thread honouring the wisdom of the ancestors.

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