Hokitika - Pounamu, NZ Jade, Greenstone - West Coast, New Zealand

Hokitika - thecoollittletown.com

Hokitika on the West Coast of New Zealand is the birthplace of Pounamu, NZ jade.
For a small town we struck it rich in the resources stakes.

Before the gold rushes Maori were already heading here in search of another precious stone -- pounamu. The Arahura River is the birthplace of pounamu which is also known as greenstone or New Zealand jade.

Pounamu was prized for its strength, durability and beauty and used for weapons, tools and personal ornaments -- it also denoted great status.

Today's travelers still head here in search of pounamu, but these days it is found in the many shops and galleries. Visitors can learn about it, search for it, watch it being carved, shop for it, and even carve it themselves.

Carvers work in their studios, producing beautiful jewellery and ornaments from the stone, which can be bright green, mottled yellow gold, dark or even flecked in red or blue. You can chat to the carver about the origins of the pounamu or the design.

For the fossicker there is still the chance you can find a bit of your own, it's not uncommon to find small pieces on the beach that have been washed down in a storm. Maori tradition says it is bad luck to buy pounamu for yourself so make sure you have someone there to purchase it for you.

For more information, visit Hokitika at http://www.thecoollittletown.com.