![scrapbook page with pictures jade tiki pendants, a chopper and a mere](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/ii_jatw_newzealand/4218945-5-eng-US/ii_jatw_newzealand_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/ii_jatw_newzealand/4218945-5-eng-US/ii_jatw_newzealand_full_990.jpg 926w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/ii_jatw_newzealand/4218945-5-eng-US/ii_jatw_newzealand_full_1468.jpg 926w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/ii_jatw_newzealand/4218945-5-eng-US/ii_jatw_newzealand_full_1980.jpg 926w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/ii_jatw_newzealand/4218945-5-eng-US/ii_jatw_newzealand_full_2475.jpg 926w)
![Maori hei-tiki carved pendants](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/jatw-jade-around-the-world/newzealand_tikipendants/4200757-1-eng-US/newzealand_tikipendants_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/jatw-jade-around-the-world/newzealand_tikipendants/4200757-1-eng-US/newzealand_tikipendants_full_990.jpg 865w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/jatw-jade-around-the-world/newzealand_tikipendants/4200757-1-eng-US/newzealand_tikipendants_full_1468.jpg 865w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/jatw-jade-around-the-world/newzealand_tikipendants/4200757-1-eng-US/newzealand_tikipendants_full_1980.jpg 865w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/jatw-jade-around-the-world/newzealand_tikipendants/4200757-1-eng-US/newzealand_tikipendants_full_2475.jpg 865w)
tiki pendants
These are called "hei-tiki," which means "human pendant." The Maori wore them around their necks. The Maori lived on the island of New Zealand, so they were isolated from other people. This allowed them to develop their own unique style. They were and still are known for hei-tiki.
![elaborately carved jade chopper with wooden handle](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/jatw-jade-around-the-world/newzealand_chopper/4200761-1-eng-US/newzealand_chopper_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/jatw-jade-around-the-world/newzealand_chopper/4200761-1-eng-US/newzealand_chopper_full_990.jpg 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/jatw-jade-around-the-world/newzealand_chopper/4200761-1-eng-US/newzealand_chopper_full_1468.jpg 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/jatw-jade-around-the-world/newzealand_chopper/4200761-1-eng-US/newzealand_chopper_full_1980.jpg 1600w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/jatw-jade-around-the-world/newzealand_chopper/4200761-1-eng-US/newzealand_chopper_full_2475.jpg 1600w)
chopper
When the Maori people discovered the island of New Zealand in 1000 A.D., they also discovered a new stone: jade! The Maori used jade for tools, weapons, and ornaments. They even decorated some of their jade tools with elaborate designs, like this beautiful chopper made with jade and wood.
![dark green jade meer, or club, made by Maori](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/jatw-jade-around-the-world/newzealand_meer/4200765-2-eng-US/newzealand_meer_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/jatw-jade-around-the-world/newzealand_meer/4200765-2-eng-US/newzealand_meer_full_990.jpg 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/jatw-jade-around-the-world/newzealand_meer/4200765-2-eng-US/newzealand_meer_full_1468.jpg 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/jatw-jade-around-the-world/newzealand_meer/4200765-2-eng-US/newzealand_meer_full_1980.jpg 1600w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/jatw-jade-around-the-world/newzealand_meer/4200765-2-eng-US/newzealand_meer_full_2475.jpg 1600w)
mere
Does this look familiar, like a bat or a club? This is called a "mere." It was originally used by the Maori people as a war club and weapon. Later, it became a symbol of duty, power, and authority.
Image Credits:
All photos: courtesy of AMNH