Story: Kōhatu – Māori use of stone
Arekatera Maihi, of the Ngāti Whātua and Ngāpuhi tribes, uses a toki pounamu (New Zealand jade adze) at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Craft Institute, where traditional methods of carving are often used. While pounamu occurs naturally only in the South Island, the adzes have been found throughout New Zealand – indicating extensive trade in pounamu artefacts.
Using this item
New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute
by Shirley Williams
This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.
How to cite this page
Phil Moore and Bruce McFadgen, Kōhatu – Māori use of stone – Stone tools, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/8879/nephrite-adze (accessed 17 February 2026).
Story by Phil Moore and Bruce McFadgen, published 2 March 2009.