Story: Māori clothing and adornment – kākahu Māori

Hei matau – neck pendant

Hei matau – neck pendant

This hei matau is carved from pounamu (greenstone) and has a hole drilled at one end for hanging. The term 'hei' means an ornament for the neck and 'matau' means a fish-hook or, in this case, its stylised representation.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: I.002889

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Awhina Tamarapa and Patricia Wallace, 'Māori clothing and adornment – kākahu Māori - Amulets and ornaments', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/object/41020/hei-matau-neck-pendant (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Awhina Tamarapa and Patricia Wallace, published 5 Sep 2013