The Arahura River on the West Coast of the South Island was a major source of pounamu (greenstone), much prized by Māori for making tools, weapons and jewellery. According to Māori tradition, the Pounamu were once a people who escaped from their enemies in Hawaiki. But when their canoe, the Tairea, was wrecked, they were turned into greenstone boulders such as these in the Arahura River.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference:
D.000708
Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
Tāpiritia te tākupu hou