Pounamu Pathway Māori Experience, West Coast, South Island

The Pounamu Pathway, designed by Wētā Workshop, offers visitors a powerful Māori experience that highlights the rich culture, deep-rooted history, and treasured heritage of the West Coast, South Island, New Zealand.

This immersive journey unfolds through 4 interconnected hubs stretching from Haast/Awarua to Westport/Kawatiri, each telling its own part of the captivating Pounamu story.

Embark on a transformative voyage of exploration, partnership, and discovery as you follow the Pounamu Pathway across the breathtaking landscapes of the West Coast/Te Tai o Poutini, South Island.

Pounamu Pathway Māori Experience Centres

Greymouth / The Māwhera Pā

Address: 45 Tainui Street, Greymouth (we are a quick 4-minute walk from Tranz Alpine, Greymouth Railway Station.)

Open Daily: Monday to Sunday, 9am – 8pm
Closed: Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day

Embark on a self-guided adventure into the heart of Māori culture, where the stories of Poutini Ngāi Tahu and the Māwhera Pā settlement come to life. This immersive exhibition unfolds across 6 captivating narratives, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace for around 90 minutes or more.

Step into a world crafted by Wētā Workshop, where a large-scale masterpiece surrounds you with powerful visuals, sound, and storytelling. The experience is both enchanting and deeply moving, offering a cultural journey you’ll never forget.

Hear tales of giants, warriors, triumphs, and struggles—woven together through the ancient exchange of Pounamu (jade). Each story draws you deeper, leaving you inspired by the resilience, spirit, and traditions of the people of Te Tai o Poutini.

Westport / The Museum of Kawatiri

Address: 123 Palmerston St, Westport.
Phone: 03 789 6658

Step into a captivating journey that celebrates the heritage and resilience of the people of the Buller District. Discover the remarkable story of Kawatiri, where the past, present, and future are woven together in a rich cultural tapestry.

Explore the themes of Triumph and Treasure, uncovering the land’s precious gifts—pounamu, coal, and gold. Learn how these treasures shaped human endeavour, inspiring courage, creativity, and resilience from the earliest Polynesian settlers through to today.

Hokitika Māori Experience

Due to open 2026

Due to open 2025.

About Pounamu Pathway

Te Ara Pounamu was born from the vision to breathe life into The Pounamu Pathway, igniting a journey aimed at revitalizing the West Coast/Te Tai o Poutini by attracting visitors to this breathtaking region boasting world-class attractions. Our mission is to share the rich and distinctive tales of the area in a manner that inspires exploration and sparks further revelation.

Guided by authentic values, we foster an inclusive and cooperative environment anchored in integrity and reverence, dedicated to achieving creative excellence. We embrace audacious undertakings, continuously reimagining top-tier visitor experiences while upholding sustainability as our cornerstone, adapting to shifting markets and evolving customer demands.

At Te Ara Pounamu, our objective is to redefine the world’s engagement with New Zealand’s cultural heritage and narratives.

Join us on the extraordinary voyage of discovery, partnership, and transformation along the extraordinary Pounamu Pathway, as we traverse the remarkable landscapes of the West Coast/Te Tai o Poutini in the South Island.