Pounamu carving with Jan turned out to be one of the highlights of my South Island tour and I would recommend it to anyone, particularly if like me you are unlucky with the weather and so need a wet weather activity around Franz Josef! Jan is really friendly and explains the cultural significance of pounamu as well as showing you how to shape and polish your chosen stone, which is a surprisingly relaxing and therapeutic experience! I got lucky in that my chosen stone turned out to be a piece of aotea bluestone and Jan was so kind to rescue the tiny piece of blue quartz that broke off along a fault line in the stone when it came time to drill a hole to thread the cord through. You will come away with a beautiful souvenir that you can gift or treasure to remind you of your time on the West Coast.

Working in the workshop in Jan’s home was one of the highlights of our trip. Jan picked us up at the Rainforest Retreat and we joined a smaller group (7) in our stone grinding/shaping experience. My partner and I each carved jade pieces for necklaces. I now want a grinder. Jan’s husband, Mark, drove us back to town and told us all about the area. He was a much fun as the carving experience. The vibe is relaxed, so be prepared to chill and work with your stone.

A really enjoyable few hours. The host Jan, is very knowledgeable and helpful. She’s also got a great sense of humour. Pick your own piece of jade and under the watchful gaze of Jan make something to take home . I didn’t think it was ‘my bag’, my wife was keen to go. However, I enjoyed it.