Directions

Greenstone can be found at many of the beaches. Make sure you are on the lookout as you can never be sure when the perfect piece will be right under your foot.

Jade Hunting

The Buller is well known for its magnificent greenstone carvings and if you want to hunt for your own piece of greenstone, the beaches here are the best place to look.

From Karamea down to Punakaiki there is a high chance of you stumbling across a piece of greenstone as you walk along the beaches. While looking out at the stunning views remember to keep your eyes also on the ground as you can never tell when the perfect piece is going to be there waiting for you.

Greenstone is our name for the nephrite jade that comes from the South Island of New Zealand. It is also called pounamu or New Zealand jade. This predominantly greenish-coloured rock has long been prized and revered by the Maori who shaped it into tools, weapons and jewellery. The value of greenstone lies not only in its beauty and its toughness, but also in its spiritual significance. The Maori call it ‘the God stone’ as a carving of greenstone is believed to have an enhancing and empowering effect on the wearers life. 

Greenstone is only found in the South Island. Because of this, the island was originally named Te Wāhi Pounamu (the place of pounamu), but over time this name changed to Te Wai Pounamu (the greenstone waters).

Many people want to find their own piece of greenstone to take home, a piece of New Zealand. They either have these carved into their own pendant or leave them in their natural state with only a hole drilled into the top. Part of the excitement of finding your own piece of greenstone is the thrill of looking for the piece perfectly suited to you.

There are a few things you need to be aware of before you start looking for greenstone in New Zealand.

You can only legally collect greenstone on the beaches of Te Tai o Poutini (the West Coast of the South Island) and you are limited to what you can carry on your person or in your backpack within a 24-hour period - this means what an individual can physically lift by themselves and take unaided to their mode of transport.

You are not allowed to collect greenstone outside of these beaches. This means that you cannot collect it on land, including rivers, administered by the Department of Conservation or on private land.

When taking greenstone out of New Zealand it is important to be aware that greenstone in excess of 5 kilograms of weight is prohibited from being exported. This prohibition is enforced by the New Zealand Customs Service at the border. Crafted articles, such as pendants and sculptures, are allowed to be taken out of the country along with raw pounamu and stones under 5 kilograms. Those wishing to take greenstone out of the country above this 5 kilogram limit must apply in writing to:

New Zealand Customs
PO Box 2218
Wellington