Pounamu Drop Polished | 5NZ Pounamu hand carved in Hokitika, New Zealand. Called nephrite jade by geologists, pounamu by Maori, and greenstone by early settlers, pounamu was originally carved and sharpened into tools and weapons, as well as decorative ornaments. The natural beauty of pounamu has many colour variations and classifications. Pounamu is regarded as precious and given as a taonga (gift), and is an honour to receive. This flecked dark piece of Pounamu is polished