With the shape of a fish hook, the matau represents abundance, prosperity and safe travel over water. Its origins can be found in the legend of Maui, who used a magical hook to fish up Aotearoa's North Island.⁠⁠

This New Zealand greenstone pendant comes on an adjustable cord necklace. It is a taonga and a beautiful gift that can be treasured for years to come.

Museums Wellington only sells genuine New Zealand greenstone made by certified Ngāi Tahu Pounamu artisans. All genuine New Zealand Pounamu comes with a mark of authenticity and an exclusive trace code. When entered online this code identifies the origin and whakapapa of the stone.

Authentic New Zealand Pounamu
Matau pendant on adjustable cord
Measures approximately 4.3cm in length
Comes with authenticity mark and trace code
Comes in gift box
Also known as greenstone, nephrite or jade, pounamu comes in a myriad of different colours, textures and consistencies. Each piece is unique and may differ from the image.
Made in New Zealand

Ngāi Tahu is the largest Māori iwi (tribe) of the South Island of New Zealand – Te Waipounamu (which means ‘the Greenstone Isle’). They hold the rangatiratanga to over 80 per cent of the South Island. Ngāi Tahu means “people of Tahu” and all Ngāi Tahu whānui can trace their ancestry back to the tribe’s founder, Tahu Pōtiki. Ngāi Tahu is the result of the interweaving of three whakapapa lines from Waitaha, Ngāti Māmoe and Ngāi Tahu. They are a resilient, entrepreneurial people who made their home in Te Waipounamu over 800 years ago.

In 1997 the New Zealand Government returned the rights of greenstone ownership to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, the iwi’s elected tribal council. Ngāi Tahu are therefore the kaitiaki of all South Island greenstone, the only known source of authentic New Zealand pounamu.

Traditional Bound Matau Pounamu Pendant 4.3cm