Kōrero: Gemstones

Bowenite – a rare type of pounamu

Bowenite – a rare type of pounamu

These natural pebbles of bowenite (known to Māori as tangiwai) come from the entrance to Milford Sound. Although bowenite occurs in other countries, New Zealand’s is regarded as more attractive, being quite transparent with colours ranging from a deep teal-blue to olive green. Tangiwai was valued by Māori for adornment.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Private collection
Photograph by Russell Beck

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Te tuhi tohutoro mō tēnei whārangi:

Jocelyn Thornton, 'Gemstones - New Zealand gemstones', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/photograph/5119/bowenite-a-rare-type-of-pounamu (accessed 29 April 2024)

He kōrero nā Jocelyn Thornton, i tāngia i te 12 Jun 2006