Pounamu Shapes and Their Meanings: A Guide to New Zealand Greenstone

Every piece of pounamu tells a story, and the shape it is carved into is a big part of that story. Whether you are choosing a piece for yourself or looking for a meaningful gift, knowing what each form represents can help you find the one that feels right.

Here is our simple guide to the most common pounamu shapes and their meanings, with pieces from our Dale Borland collection for each one.

First, what is pounamu?

Pounamu, also called New Zealand greenstone or nephrite jade, comes from Te Wai Pounamu, the South Island. For Māori it is a taonga (treasure) of great significance, traditionally gifted to mark important moments and passed down through generations. Natural pounamu across most of the South Island is held by Ngāi Tahu, who act as its kaitiaki (guardians). For a deeper history, read Te Ara’s story of pounamu, or our own post on pounamu, the living stone.

Toki: strength, courage and determination

The toki is based on the adze, one of the most important tools in traditional Māori life, used to shape timber, build waka and carve. As a pendant it represents strength, courage and determination. It is a popular gift for someone taking on a new job, study or a big challenge.

Toki Necklace 40mm $69.99

Toki Round Necklace 45mm $89.99

Koru: new life and growth

The koru is shaped like the unfurling frond of a silver fern. It represents new life, growth, harmony and new beginnings, which makes it a lovely gift for a new baby, a wedding, a graduation or anyone starting a new chapter. The heart koru combines the koru with a heart for love and growth together.

Koru Necklace 25mm $139.99

Heart Koru Necklace 25mm $109.99

Hei matau: safe travel and abundance

The hei matau is a fishhook. Fishing was central to life in coastal communities, so the hook represents abundance, prosperity and good health. It is linked with Tangaroa, the atua (god) of the sea, and is often worn for protection when travelling over water. A meaningful gift for someone heading off overseas or on a new adventure. You can see a historic hei matau pendant on Te Ara.

Fishhook Necklace 40mm $159.99

Carving Hook Necklace 42mm $189.99

Pikorua (twist): a lasting bond

The pikorua, or twist, shows two paths that wind together, part and always come back to each other. It represents a strong, lasting bond between two people, so it is a favourite for couples, best friends and family. A triple twist brings three paths together, beautiful for celebrating family or a close group of friends.

Twist Necklace 40mm $239.99

Triple Twist Necklace 50mm $259.00

Hei tiki: ancestors and identity

The hei tiki is one of the best-known pounamu forms. It is often seen as representing an ancestor or the first human, and is also linked with fertility. Hei tiki are deeply treasured and are often passed down through families as heirlooms. Te Ara has more on the history of the hei tiki.

Tiki Necklace $199.99

Contemporary shapes: heart, whale tail, disc and tooth

Alongside the traditional forms, carvers also shape pounamu into simpler contemporary designs:

• Heart: love and warmth, an easy everyday piece and a sweet gift.
• Whale tail: honours the tōhora (whale), symbolising strength, safe journeys and a connection to the ocean.
• Disc: a simple, unbroken circle, often seen as representing wholeness and the cycle of life.
• Tooth: inspired by shark and whale teeth, associated with strength and the sea.

Heart Necklace 32mm $109.99	Whale Tail Necklace 30mm $169.99
Disc Necklace 30mm $119.99	Tooth Necklace 45mm $169.99

Pounamu earrings

Many of these shapes also come as earrings, from koru and whale tails to shark’s teeth and boxed hearts that are ready to gift. Browse the earrings in our pounamu collection.

How to choose your pounamu

There is no wrong choice. Many people say the right piece is the one you are drawn to, and that pounamu chooses its wearer as much as the wearer chooses it. If you would like a starting point:

• Starting something new? Koru or toki.
• Heading overseas or on an adventure? Hei matau or whale tail.
• For a partner, best friend or family? Pikorua (twist) or heart.
• A treasured heirloom piece? Hei tiki.

Pounamu has long been given as a gift to mark special moments, which is why it makes such a meaningful present. See more ideas in our Christmas Gift Guide. For tips on looking after your piece, Te Papa’s taonga guide is a great read.

See it in person in Hahei

Every piece of pounamu is unique, with its own colour, markings and character, so it is lovely to see and hold them in person. Come and visit us at 3/3 Grange Road, Hahei, or shop the full Dale Borland pounamu collection online with free NZ shipping on orders over $150.

Frequently asked questions

What do the different pounamu shapes mean?

The toki stands for strength and courage, the koru for new life and growth, the hei matau for safe travel over water and abundance, the pikorua for a lasting bond between people, and the hei tiki is often seen as representing an ancestor. Hearts, whale tails, discs and tooth shapes are popular contemporary forms.

Which pounamu shape should I choose?

Choose the shape whose meaning speaks to you or the person you are gifting it to. A koru suits a new beginning, a hei matau suits someone about to travel, a pikorua suits a couple or close friends, and a toki suits someone starting a big challenge.

Where can I buy genuine pounamu in the Coromandel?

Cove Beach Essentials in Hahei stocks hand-carved pounamu by Dale Borland, made from genuine South Island greenstone. Visit us at 3/3 Grange Road, Hahei, or shop online.