Pounamu — greenstone, or New Zealand jade — is found in the rivers of the West Coast, and Hokitika has been a centre of its working since the 19th century. Several workshops in and around town allow visitors to watch carvers at work, shaping the tough stone into pendants, hooks, and figures with diamond-tipped tools. The pieces sold here are generally better value than in the tourist shops of Queenstown or Christchurch, and you can verify the provenance directly with the carvers.
The main shopping street has multiple galleries and carvers. The workshops run from small family operations to larger commercial showrooms; talking to an actual carver is more interesting than buying from a shelf. Pounamu is legally protected — genuine New Zealand jade can only be sold if extracted under the Ngai Tahu quota system. The most recognisable forms are the hei matau (fish hook, symbolising strength and abundance) and the hei tiki (human figure, ancestral significance). Expect to pay from NZ$50 for a small pendant to several hundred for large carved pieces.