Appreciation, Service, Commitment - giving pounamu as corporate gifts

Pounamu has long been regarded as a unique and special type of gift to give and receive. It has mana (strength and power) about it which commands respect and attention, and goes some way to honouring the history of our beautiful country of Aotearoa. 

We thought we’d delve into the art of gift giving a little bit more, because it’s gifting in the corporate world that we get asked about from time to time. 

From smaller pieces of jewellery to give to each team member, to larger items that deserve a special place on a display shelf, to statement pieces that catch people’s eye when they visit a business, Moko Pounamu has a huge amount of experience in the consideration of corporate gifts. 

Since the souvenir boom in the tourism industry, New Zealand pounamu (greenstone) has most commonly been carved into smaller items - jewellery, trinkets, and other small items that are easily transported back to a tourist’s home country. These pieces of course serve well when it comes to finding multiple items to give among a team of people; each one representing a moment or an achievement in their journey with that organisation. 

Larger items like sculptures and representations of traditional weaponry might be more appropriate for a one-off gift, or a business-to-business gift, but what a statement they make. Consider the possibilities. An homage to a business’s beginnings or connections to Te Ao Māori, an offering of the giver’s connection of the same nature, recognition of a business’s strength or commitment or bravery. 

Moko pounamu has a long relationship with the art of stone carving, particularly breathtaking sculptures that have drawn international attention. Our founder - Alf Moreton - was a well-known carving artist in his own right and some of his work is here on display in our Rūnanga (pay us a visit sometime, photos don’t do any justice to the beauty of pounamu!).

The words that are commonly associated with pounamu, carving shapes and stone types can all be considered when choosing a meaningful gift for a business, a team, or for your employees. If you’re thinking about choosing pounamu as a gift for someone in a work setting, think about your company’s origins and connections to the land and its people. What’s an appropriate way to honour that? Or indeed to honour a person’s time with a particular organisation if their time to leave has come. 

Pounamu serves as a wonderful option for a leaving gift to someone who has shown commitment to a business. It’s an opportunity to offer the person departing a gift to take forward; a show of goodwill, to offer them good fortune, and a special something to remember their journey by.

While no two pieces of pounamu will ever be the same, we would be delighted to help you choose a selection of smaller pieces for personal gifts, or a larger statement piece depending on your corporate gifting needs. Have a look at our range of sculptures here.

For the gift that will last for generations to come, Moko Pounamu has a beautiful selection from which to choose. We look forward to helping you pick out the perfect piece.