Story: Pounamu – jade or greenstone

Te Rangihaeata

Te Rangihaeata

In this painting by Richard Aldworth Oliver, the mere pounamu (hand weapon) held by Te Rangihaeata is called Te Tuhiwai. It originally belonged to Te Rauparaha. Te Rangihaeata was the war leader for Te Rauparaha, who led Ngāti Toa in the 19th century. Te Rauparaha received it from the Ngāi Tahu chief Te Mātenga Taiaroa in exchange for a war canoe named Wai-ka-hua.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: PUBL-0032-1
Hand-coloured lithograph by Richard Aldworth Oliver

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Basil Keane, 'Pounamu – jade or greenstone - Symbols of chieftainship', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/7695/te-rangihaeata (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Basil Keane, published 12 Jun 2006