Ranked 49 in our Towns & Culture series, Hokitika’s Pounamu Studios are a compact, unforgettable encounter with one of New Zealand’s most treasured materials. Tucked into the town’s CBD, these working ateliers and galleries put greenstone — pounamu — on full display: raw river-honed boulders, the rhythmic rasp of files, and finished pendants gleaming like captured forest light.
What to expect: arrive with curiosity. Windows and open-workbenches invite you to watch master carvers at close range as they shape the dense stone into toki (adzes), hei-tiki, hooks and modern interpretations. The process is unexpectedly intimate: the slow, deliberate shaping, the moments when the stone’s hue deepens and a design emerges. Carvers often explain the significance of motifs and the importance of provenance — that pounamu comes from particular rivers and carries cultural and familial meaning. Respectful listening and asking before photographing are always appreciated.
Why it matters: pounamu isn’t simply pretty rock. For many Māori iwi it holds spiritual mana and is used to mark lineage, commemorate events and connect people to place. A visit to Pounamu Studios is part craft demonstration, part cultural lesson — a way to see how traditional knowledge and contemporary design fuse in a living practice.
Shopping and souvenirs: the range is broad. Expect classic pendants you can wear, bespoke commissions carved to order, and larger sculptural pieces destined for galleries or private collections. Many studios offer certificates or information on the stone’s origin so that purchases carry a traceable story — a meaningful detail for buyers seeking authenticity.
Practical tips: studios in the CBD are easy to walk between, so allow time to browse several makers to appreciate stylistic differences. If you’re considering a commission, ask about lead times and care instructions; pounamu can be durable, but treating it with respect ensures it lasts a lifetime. If a carver is busy, a short wait is a small price for watching a piece come to life.
Beyond the bench: Hokitika itself is a compact, characterful town with galleries, cafés and a lively arts scene. After a studio visit, stroll the CBD for complementary crafts