FAQ
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Is the pounamu blessed?
- Yes, all our pounamu is blessed in its raw form before the carving process begins. All our carvers handle each taonga with customary respect and carved with every possible care.
- Yes, all our pounamu is blessed in its raw form before the carving process begins. All our carvers handle each taonga with customary respect and carved with every possible care.
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Where are your products made?
- All our taonga are made in New Zealand by carvers registered with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu authentication scheme.
- All our taonga are made in New Zealand by carvers registered with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu authentication scheme.
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Do you ship internationally?
- Yes, you can view our international shipping rates and zones here https://ngaitahupounamu.com/pages/shipping-returns
- Yes, you can view our international shipping rates and zones here https://ngaitahupounamu.com/pages/shipping-returns
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Where is my order?
- Access your order status and history by signing into your account, you will be able to find your tracking information and a direct link to track and trace your order. Alternatively, you can contact us via email authenticpounamu@ngaitahu.iwi.nz
- Access your order status and history by signing into your account, you will be able to find your tracking information and a direct link to track and trace your order. Alternatively, you can contact us via email authenticpounamu@ngaitahu.iwi.nz
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Do you make custom taonga?
- Yes, we will only custom make traditional and modern taonga. Designs which are not of Māori toi are more likely to be declined.
- Yes, we will only custom make traditional and modern taonga. Designs which are not of Māori toi are more likely to be declined.
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How do I return an item and how long will the refund take?
- Please return the goods together with your receipt within 30 days of receipt so we can process a refund or an exchange of equivalent value. Delivery and handling charges are not refundable. You can find more information here
https://ngaitahupounamu.com/pages/shipping-returns
- Please return the goods together with your receipt within 30 days of receipt so we can process a refund or an exchange of equivalent value. Delivery and handling charges are not refundable. You can find more information here
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Can I buy pounamu for myself?
- Traditionally no, but as time has passed it is now more of a personal preference and how comfortable you feel about purchasing your own taonga.
- Traditionally no, but as time has passed it is now more of a personal preference and how comfortable you feel about purchasing your own taonga.
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Colour variations
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Pounamu comes in a myriad of different colours, flecks, textures and consistencies. Please email us on authenticpounamu@ngaitahu.iwi.nz and quote the NTP code of the design you are interested in and if you would like to see images of the colour variations we have available with the option to choose what piece you would like us to send you.
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Pounamu comes in a myriad of different colours, flecks, textures and consistencies. Please email us on authenticpounamu@ngaitahu.iwi.nz and quote the NTP code of the design you are interested in and if you would like to see images of the colour variations we have available with the option to choose what piece you would like us to send you.
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Where is my nearest stockiest?
- You can view a list of our stocking on our website
https://runanga.ngaitahupounamu.com/retail/locations?area=6
- You can view a list of our stocking on our website
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Can I fossick for pounamu?
- The only public area for fossicking is from Cobden beach to Rapahoe beach as that is the only part on the Queens Chain. All other beaches and all rivers on the West Coast are private and you have to be of Ngāti Waewae or Makaawhio descent to be able to fossick in these areas.
- The only public area for fossicking is from Cobden beach to Rapahoe beach as that is the only part on the Queens Chain. All other beaches and all rivers on the West Coast are private and you have to be of Ngāti Waewae or Makaawhio descent to be able to fossick in these areas.
- My Pounamu has broken, what can i do and can it be repaired?
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While Pounamu is a very strong durable material, it is not invincible and if you drop it or knock it on a hard surface it could break. Unfortunately, Pounamu is not repairable once it has broken. The best option would be to purchase another piece or we could put you in touch with the carver and you may be able to have something smaller shaped out of your broken pounamu.
Ngai Tahu Pounamu does not provide a repair service for Pounamu however we are happy to replace worn cords for $30 including tracked shipping. Please note that wearing your pounamu in the shower or while swimming can fray the cord - How are your products packaged?
- Authentic Ngāi Tahu Pounamu is 100% owned by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and we want to uphold the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu climate change strategy – HE RAUTAKI MŌ TE ĀHUARANIG by making sure all our packing is 100% biodegradable, recyclable and compostable.
All our products are packaged in a New Zealand made biodegradable, recyclable and compostable Kraft box with our Authentic Ngāi Tahu Pounamu branded logo’s.
This is then wrapped in biodegradable, recyclable and compostable geami wrappak and placed in a r3pack compostable bag which is certified to comply with the international standards for home and commercial composting. EN13432 / AS4736 / AS5810.
Our mere boxes are made from recycled timer from some of the red zone house that had to come down due to the Christchurch earth quake on 22 February 2011
- If you have any further question please contact us via email; authenticpounamu@ngaitahu.iwi.nz