Mountain Jade, at 1288 Fenton Street in Rotorua, is a pounamu carving studio with a shop, where local artists carve greenstone by hand. The website describes a 40-minute guided studio tour, with one-on-one time with the artists and live carving demonstrations. Visitors can try an original Māori carving technique on sandstone, and choose a piece of pounamu to string into a necklace to take home. Admission is $45 per person for adults and children aged three to 16, as at 2026, and infants up to two are free. Tours leave daily at 10am, except on public holidays. Spaces are limited, so the website recommends booking online, or calling 07 349 1828.
The website notes that pounamu is found only in the South Island, which is why the island is called Te Waipounamu. Customers mention the knowledgeable staff, the carving process and pounamu, and say the guide was informative. One visitor said the shop is beautiful, and another wanted a genuine New Zealand made piece and was reassured by the owners. Parking is free and paid, and the tour is wheelchair and pram accessible, though you must be able to stand for 40 minutes. Our pick in Rotorua for an authentic pounamu piece with a guided tour.