Story: Māori clothing and adornment – kākahu Māori

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 rāua ko Patricia Wallace, Māori clothing and adornment – kākahu Māori – Amulets and ornaments, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/object/41020/hei-matau-neck-pendant (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Awhina Tamarapa rāua ko Patricia Wallace, published 4 March 2013.