For the first time, Ngāti Māhaki is offering one of the rarest forms of pounamu to the public.
Tahutahi pounamu, exclusively found in the Cascade Plateau south of Haast, has never been legally sold before. This precious stone, known for its vibrant green hue and distinct white flecks, is exceptionally rare.
Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio chairman, Paul Madgwick, says the sale as an important moment for both Ngāti Māhaki and Ngāi Tahu.
“Tahutahi is a treasured taonga for our people and we are excited to share it authentically for the first time through our Westland Greenstone store in Hokitika. This rare pounamu is highly coveted.”
Tahutahi, once known by some as ‘snowflake’, has played a big role in official events this year.
“Earlier this year, Ngāi Tahu gifted Tahutahi pendants to New Zealand’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes and a special set was presented to Kuini Nga wai hono i te po during her inaugural journey south.”
The history of Te Tai Poutini (the West Coast) is deeply connected to pounamu, but recent times have been marred by significant thefts and the illegal trade of Tahutahi.
“Tahutahi’s beauty and rarity have unfortunately made it a target for illegal trade,” Madgwick says.
After prosecutions in the early 2000s, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu recovered stolen raw Tahutahi pounamu and carved taonga. Some of these taonga available for sale are repatriated pieces that have had their mana restored through this process.
After carrying the burden of these thefts for two decades, Madgwick states that it is a significant milestone for Ngāti Māhaki to finally honour the mana of their taonga.
The Crown’s rights to pounamu in Ngāi Tahu’s takiwā were officially returned to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu in 1997 under the Ngāi Tahu (Pounamu Vesting) Act. Madgwick reminds the public that it’s simple to verify if pounamu is being sold authentically through the Ngāi Tahu Pounamu authentication scheme.
Ngāi Tahu Pounamu Limited is jointly owned by Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae.
