Hokitika River, Hokitika, Westland District, West Coast Region, New Zealandi

Regional Level Types
Hokitika River	River
Hokitika	- not defined -
Westland District	District
West Coast Region	Region
New Zealand	Country

The town of Hokitika itself is the centre for jade carving on the West Coast. The nephrite (called greenstone or pounamu in New Zealand) is found as loose boulders usually in rivers and streams, while insitu jade reefs are very rare.

Such boulders have been found in the lower reaches of the Hokitika River, cast up from 1920's to 1950's dredging for gold. The jade was thrown on the vast tailings heaps. Prospectors re-working the tailings, and later during bulldozing re-shaping the tailings hills for rehabilitation, found several nephrite boulders.

Government geologist, P.G. Morgan, stated in 1908, that loose nephrite boulders are common in the Hokitika River, from the Whitcombe River junction to Granite or Hokitika Gorge, and also the Toaroha River just to the east.

The jade found is medium to dark green, opaque, coarse textured, and a soft grade reaching semi-nephrite.

Since 1997, the collection of nephrite requires the permission of the Ngai Tahu, a business and cultural organisation representing Maoris on the South Island.

The Mindat map marks the Hokitika Gorge, a stretch of azure water, walk trails and a swing bridge.

References

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality