Carved from deep, rich-green Kawakawa stone, this Manaia pendant embodies balance and protection. Featuring the traditional three-fingered design, each finger represents birth, life, and death, uniting the realms through the head of a bird, the body of a human, and the tail of a fish—a timeless symbol of guardianship. Complete with an adjustable cord, this pendant is presented in an eco-friendly box, accompanied by hand-drawn meaning and care cards, making it a cherished taonga.
4.2cm x 2cm
Durability:While pounamu (greenstone) is celebrated for its robustness, its dense nature makes it vulnerable to shock. Handle with care to maintain its integrity.
Protection: Avoid placing or wearing your pounamu on hard surfaces where it might get chipped.
Wear Often: Wear your pounamu frequently to enhance its shine with your natural skin oils. The cord is durable but will naturally wear over time.
Cleaning:Simply use a soft, damp cloth and mild soap for your pounamu. Beeswax or coconut oil can also be applied to moisturise the stone. Avoid harsh chemicals, as they may harm its surface.
Within NZ courier: $4.50 or Free delivery on orders over $100 (1-2 days)
International delivery: Fees vary depending on country.
Returns: easy returns within5 working days. Please contact us on hello@arrowtownstonework.co.nz
Complement your chosen pounamu with a Kete Basket, crafted from authentic Māori harakeke weaving.
Flax Kete - $29.99
Manaia
This pendant symbolises balance, protection, and unity between the natural and spiritual realms. With the head of a bird, body of a human, and tail of a fish, the Manaia connects sky, earth, and sea. As a spiritual guardian, it embodies strength and courage, offering protection against adversity.
Harmony & Well-being
The Manaia highlights the seamless relationship between humans and nature, encouraging harmony and safeguarding hauora (well-being). It serves as a reminder of the importance of balance and protection, reinforcing cultural values and the interconnectedness of all living things.
What our customers think
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 25 reviews.
Love the size,color and engraving.
Quick delivery even to Tokyo.
Absolutely in love with my Pounamu pendant. Detail is beautifully crafted and looks amazing. Living in Australia I didn’t expect it to arrive so quickly. (7days from purchase to delivery). Hardest part of ordering was deciding which one.
Absolutely stunning craftmanship, the elegance and representation of culture is outstanding. I will treasure and honour this piece.
I did change the chord as it was a little to thin and not easy to adjust. Thank you!
My granddaughter is turning 21 in December I asked her what she would like was a gift and she said she would love a pounamu. I asked her to choose one from your selection and she chose Manaia. I love the meaning behind this design and as a grandparet wish her everything this pendant symbolises.
The beautiful manaia arrived in record time to take on our long weekend. When I gave it to him, he was surprised, and somewhat speechless! As a man of the land, a surfer and fisherman, he said it was a perfect gift! Great size for a guy as advised. Thank you so much! I love your work.
We respect your choice and do not bless our finished pounamu pieces. However, we encourage those who purchase to consider blessing it before gifting. Please see the answer below regarding "How can I bless pounamu."
Blessing pounamu is a personal choice often associated with gifting to someone close. Seek guidance from a Kaumatua or local Marae for traditional practices. Alternatively, you can honor tradition by cleansing the pounamu in a river or stream with a karakia (prayer), or by blessing it with the recipient to share your intentions. These methods allow for meaningful engagement with pounamu according to personal beliefs and connections.
Yes, you can buy pounamu for yourself without cultural taboo. In Māori history, pounamu was both a cherished gift and a traded commodity among tribes, symbolizing honor, respect, and enduring value. Whether purchased or received, owning a pounamu taonga carries deep spiritual significance, enhancing personal mana (spiritual life force) and connecting past traditions with the present. Whether for yourself or as a gift to friends or loved ones, the choice that feels meaningful to you is important.
Each river-tumbled pounamu bracelet is uniquely shaped and colored, showcasing its natural beauty. During checkout, you can leave a note for our whānau specifying your preferences for the bracelet's shape or color, and we'll do our best to accommodate your request.
Each Māori design carries unique cultural significance:
Each item purchased comes with its own individual meaning card. Learn more about their stories and meanings here.
Each pounamu pendant or bracelet is carefully packaged with its meaning and care cards to ensure it arrives in perfect condition. Your purchase includes:
An individual meaning card explaining the cultural significance of the chosen design
A care card with instructions on maintaining your pounamu
A protective linen eco pouch for bracelets or a certified eco box for pendants
Secure packaging in a recyclable shipping box made from recycled materials
Upgrades and Additional Options:
You can add these upgrades on the product page:
Gift Wrapping: Optional gift wrapping with a personal handwritten tag.
Kete Packaging: Display your pounamu in a traditional kete (flax basket).
Yes, we offer a re-binding service for your treasured pendant or bracelet using expertly hand-woven binding. Renew your valued piece by purchasing our re-binding services here and sending it to our Arrowtown workshop.
If you have a special request for your engraving that isn't covered in the standard options, such as additional characters or a unique symbol, please contact us via email at hello@arrowtownstonework.co.nz.
We will do our best to accommodate your personalised pounamu request
Celebrate Treasured Moments with Pounamu
Over 35 Years of Greenstone Carving in Arrowtown
Our whānau workshop, led by my father, a master carver from Ngāti Kahungunu, carves and shapes traditional Māori designs that celebrate meaning and connection with friends, whānau, or loved ones.
