Mountain Jade Highlights Tour
Overview
Available languages
40 minutes
Mobile ticket
In the heart of Rotorua's city centre, just a short walk from the must-see Government Gardens, our artists are absorbed in their craft, passionately hand-carving New Zealand pounamu with love and dedication. They invite you to come and discover the stories behind their carvings and step inside our studio for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes experience.
You’ll get up close to the action and spend unforgettable one-on-one time with our artists, learning about the jade carving process and watching live carving demonstrations. As you embark on a journey into the rich history of pounamu, you’ll discover fascinating insights into the cultural significance of the stone and its traditional uses and values.
To top it all off, you will choose your very own piece of pounamu and learn how to string it into a necklace to take home and treasure forever.
Available at 10.00 am, daily. Infant ages are 0-2 years.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Not recommended for people who cannot stand for 40-minutes as limited seating available
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
See a live jade carving demonstration
Chance to spend exclusive time with New Zealand jade artists in their studio
This is a fully guided experience with jade experts. Allow 40 minutes.
A piece of New Zealand pounamu to take home.
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Infant tickets (0-2 years) are free of charge but this tickets does not include a piece of pounamu.
You do not get to carve your own pounamu. Instead, you will observe our artists carving.
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Mountain Jade
Meet local artists as they craft jade by hand and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and atmosphere of our carving workshop. Your guide will take you on an in-depth journey into the history of jade carving in New Zealand, uncovering the significance of pounamu for Māori and exploring the traditional uses and values of the stone. You'll see the highlights of our jade gallery and then head to the studio to spend exclusive time with our artists, learning about the carving process and watching them work. After visiting the studio, you'll get to choose and string a piece of New Zealand pounamu, turning it into a necklace to take home and treasure forever.
Options
Mountain Jade Highlights Tour
Reviews
26 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Can't recommend enough
Global09540851661,
Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00learnt about the history and culture surrounding pounami, excellent craftmanship and even the opportunity to have the piece I'd seen on the tour after talking to one of the artists bought for me as a gift by my fiancee
A must do in Rotorua
Francois Douds974,
Jun 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very enjoyable and insightful visit. This is a must do to understand even more about Maori culture and art. The guys are knowledgeable and very welcoming.
A1 Experience
Daniel K,
Apr 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great guide excellent carvwr on hand for Q&A. The atmosphere there was welcoming and the guide herself was commandeering and very informative. Would recommend to anyone who would like to gain the same experience
Gives you a better understanding of the importance of jade.
JRTravelling1,
Apr 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Interesting experience that gives you a strong understanding of how important jade carvings are to the Mãori. Good time.
Excellent
Linda M,
Feb 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A great experience for for my international friends Throughly enjoyed themselves as we travelled from Australia
Great demonstration with little bit of history too!
anthouard,
Feb 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This lasted just under an hour and we learned about the geology, history and cultural significance of the pounamu Jade stone. After that you are free to shop in their store but there is absolutely NO pressure. Top notch!
Excellent Activity to do
Debbi C,
Jan 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Only a short tour but incredibly informative. The guide and the carvers were so knowledgeable and skilled, just lovely.
Informative and worth doing
Richard B,
Jan 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience even though brief. Guide explained the process and the culture behind the jade experience. Worth doing.
Must do
Philippe P,
Jan 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Presentation operations punamu sculpture Excellent professionals at our disposal Recommend if you are looking for a similar experience
Interesting and well worth it!!
Kim R,
Jan 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This is an excellent way to start your adventures in Rotorua. Small group - just the 4 of us. Super informative and loved the history lessons about jade and weapons and the meanings of each type jade stone. Chose a stone and made a necklace - very special part of the tour! Thank you. We loved it!
From NZ$45.00
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Operated by Mountain Jade