Story: Pounamu – jade or greenstone

Kapeu – ear pendant

The version of the ear pendant, the kapeu, has a slight bend at the bottom. It was highly prized and a sign of high rank in Māori society. The chief featured on the New Zealand coat of arms wears a kapeu.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

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

Basil Keane, Pounamu – jade or greenstone – Implements and adornment, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/object/7683/kapeu-ear-pendant (accessed 24 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 2 March 2009.

Comments

Paddy Cooper
23 October 2014

What is the meaning of kapeu?