Polish & Pan

About Polish & Pan

Polish & Pan is a family-run workshop and experiential studio based in the heart of Hokitika on the West Coast. Blending traditional craftsmanship with interactive, hands-on activities, the space invites visitors to experience two of the region's most iconic heritages: West Coast gold and genuine New Zealand pounamu (greenstone).

Founded and operated by local craftspeople, the workshop produces authentic, one-of-a-kind pounamu pendants and carvings, each shaped directly from locally sourced river stone. Alongside their retail collection of taonga and gold, Polish & Pan offers guided experiences where guests can pan for guaranteed gold or sit at the workbench to carve and polish their own unique stone keepsakes under the guidance of knowledgeable local artisans.

Crafting Heritage at Polish & Pan in Hokitika

Hokitika has long held a reputation as the jade capital of New Zealand, a coastal town where alpine waters have carried precious pounamu and gold deposits down toward the Tasman Sea for centuries. At Polish & Pan, situated on Weld Street in the centre of town, that geological heritage is transformed into an engaging, tactile experience that bridges the gap between historical craft and modern storytelling.

Founded as a family-run enterprise, Polish & Pan sets itself apart by blending a working stone carving atelier with an active gold-panning space. Rather than simply browsing finished goods behind glass cabinets, visitors are invited behind the scenes to see how raw riverbed stones become treasured heirlooms and how gravels yield bright specks of genuine West Coast gold.

Authentic West Coast Pounamu and Provenance

Authenticity is central to the workshop's ethos. In New Zealand, pounamu is considered a sacred cultural treasure (taonga), protected and managed to ensure ethical, sustainable recovery. Every piece of greenstone at Polish & Pan is legally sourced directly from West Coast riverbeds and fully authenticated through the Ngāi Tahu Pounamu Authentication Scheme. This tracing ensures that the stone's lineage is honoured from river to workbench.

Inside the workshop, resident carvers take raw boulders and slabs—marked by weathered river crusts—and carefully inspect the inner grain, colour variations, and mineral inclusions before cutting. The stones range in hue and translucency, featuring prized varieties like Hapopo, Īnanga, and Totoweka. Using diamond wheels and fine abrasives, carvers shape each design by hand, producing classic motifs including the toki (adze), hei matau (fish hook), koru, niho (tooth), and porohita (disc).

Hands-On Experiences: Carving and Panning

Beyond their curated retail collection, Polish & Pan has become a destination for travellers seeking practical immersion. Their signature experiences allow guests of all skill levels to participate in traditional crafts:

• **Carve Your Own Pounamu:** Guests join a guided workshop where they select a raw greenstone piece and learn the multi-stage process of shaping, grinding, and polishing their own pendant. Under the guidance of local craftspeople, participants take raw geological material and transform it into a personal keepsake.
• **Gold Panning:** Emulating the historic West Coast gold rushes, the studio offers structured panning sessions. Guests learn proper swirl-and-dip techniques using water troughs and traditional pans to separate heavy black sands from precious gold flakes. Sessions are available in introductory and premium formats, suitable for families and novices with a guarantee of finding real gold to take home.

A Welcoming Space in Central Hokitika

The atmosphere inside the Weld Street location reflects the warm, unpretentious hospitality characteristic of the Coast. Staff and carvers, known to visitors as Brook, Millsy, and Kelly, spend time answering questions about stone meanings, local history, and the geological forces that formed the Southern Alps. Whether stopping by to find a one-of-a-kind gift or rolling up your sleeves at the water troughs, Polish & Pan offers an authentic West Coast encounter rooted in natural materials and honest craftsmanship.

Signature items

• Carve Your Own Pounamu
• Gold Panning Session
• Hei Matau Pendant
• Toki Pendant
• Porohita Pendant
• Niho Pendant

Menu

Collections

• Pounamu / Greenstone Collection — One-of-a-kind, legally sourced taonga hand-carved in the Hokitika workshop.
• Gold Collection — Locally sourced natural West Coast gold pieces and keepsakes.

Experiences

• Carve Your Own Pounamu - Workshop — Hands-on workshop turning raw stone into a treasured pendant, guided step by step.
• Gold Panning - Intro Experience — Hands-on gold panning session for all ages, no experience required, gold guaranteed.
• Gold Panning - Premium Experience — In-depth hands-on gold panning session with expert guidance.

Pounamu Pendants

• Porohita / Circle Pounamu Pendant - Hapopo Īnanga Totoweka — Circular carved NZ greenstone pendant shaped from authentic West Coast stone.
• Hei Matau / Fish Hook Pounamu Pendant - Hapopo Totoweka — Traditional fish hook design representing strength, good luck, and safe travel.
• Toki / Adze Pounamu Pendant - Hapopo Īnanga Totoweka — Classic adze blade pendant symbolizing strength, determination, and courage.
• Niho / Tooth Pounamu Pendant - Hapopo Īnanga Totoweka — Hand-carved tooth design pendant crafted from local greenstone.
• Kouma / Breast Plate Pendant — Broad chest plate pendant hand-shaped from authentic pounamu.
• Koru Pendant — Curled fern frond design representing new beginnings, growth, and harmony.
• Manawa / Heart Pendant — Hand-carved heart-shaped pounamu pendant.
• Roimata / Drop Pendant — Drop or tear design signifying comfort, healing, and positive energy.

Services & Craft

• Stone Authentication — Every pounamu piece is legally sourced and verified via the Ngāi Tahu Pounamu Authentication Scheme.

Frequently asked questions

Where does Polish & Pan source its pounamu?

All pounamu is legally sourced from the West Coast and certified through the Ngāi Tahu Pounamu Authentication Scheme.

Do I need prior experience to pan for gold?

No prior experience is necessary. Staff guide participants through the technique, and finding gold is guaranteed.

Can children participate in gold panning?

Yes, the gold panning sessions are designed for all ages and skill levels, making it a popular activity for families.

What happens during the pounamu carving workshop?

Participants select a piece of raw greenstone and are guided step by step through shaping, smoothing, and polishing it into a finished pendant to keep.

Are custom or one-of-a-kind pendants available?

Yes, the workshop carves unique, one-off pendants directly on site in Hokitika, meaning individual pieces cannot be replicated once sold.

Do they offer international shipping for online orders?

Yes, Polish & Pan ships pieces globally to multiple countries through their online store.

Tips

• {"body":"Workshop slots for pounamu carving and gold panning can fill up quickly, especially during peak travel seasons on the West Coast.","title":"Book Experiences in Advance"}
• {"body":"Take time to chat with the team about traditional carvings like the toki, koru, and hei matau to find a symbol that matches your journey.","title":"Ask About Stone Meanings"}
• {"body":"During gold panning sessions, staff ensure you learn the proper technique to separate gold flakes, and you get to keep what you pan.","title":"Take Home Real Gold"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Gold panning is suitable for all ages with guided assistance.","payments":"Accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Shop Pay, Bancontact, and Union Pay."}