Mountain Jade Highlights Tour

Recommended by 97% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Rotorua, New Zealand

Great choice

10+ bookings last month.

40 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Art, craft, and culture-loving travelers will enjoy this guided tour of a New Zealand jade (pounamu) carving studio. Learn about the cultural significance of jade to the local Maori people, and about traditional and contemporary designs. Get the chance to meet jewelry artists and to see them at work. Choose a piece of jade to string and keep as a memento.

Tours last around 30 minutes
Includes a piece of New Zealand jade to keep
Learn about New Zealand culture through its handicrafts

What's Included

This is a fully guided experience with jade experts. Allow 40 minutes.
Chance to spend exclusive time with New Zealand jade artists in their studio
A piece of New Zealand pounamu to take home.
See a live jade carving demonstration
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

Operating hours
.10:00 am

Departure Point

Mountain Jade, 1288 Fenton Street Waiariki House, Rotorua 3010 New Zealand

What To Expect

Mountain Jade

Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
Not recommended for people who cannot stand for 40-minutes as limited seating available

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9

based on 38 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Hoped to see more in...

Tiffany_H, Apr 2026

Hoped to see more in depth carving by the artist. The carving portion of the tour was 5 mins. The staff was kind and helpful, the completed pieces in the shop were beautiful. I wouldn't recommend the tour, just visit the shop.

Interesting activity

Marion_G, Mar 2026

Very interesting history of pounamu carving in NZ, and tge different types of stone. Fascinating demo of the stone shaping and carving which shows how much work goes into these. An added bonus was being able to choose a pendant to take home

This was really cool to...

kaleighwoodcox, Mar 2026

This was really cool to learn about and watch the carvers in action. The piece of jade you get at the end is chosen by you and placed on a string then and there so you can wear it and feel part of the deeply meaningful jade culture. Loved it!

One of a Kind

Kristie_N, Mar 2026

Wonderful experience with an experienced guide and jade carver. We learned a lot and felt very warmly welcomed. The small jade gift at the end was the icing on an already wonderful tour. Thank you!

Jade time

Tn_S, Feb 2026

Very nice experience, informative demonstration on jade, its significance in the Maori culture and how it is crafted

A1 Experience

Daniel_K, Apr 2025

Great 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

Excellent

Linda_M, Feb 2025

A 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 2025

This 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 2025

Only 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 2025

Great experience even though brief. Guide explained the process and the culture behind the jade experience. Worth doing.

Interesting and well worth it!!

Kim_R, Jan 2025

This 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!

really great experience

Dan_M, Oct 2024

tour guide was very well informed and was able to answer all our questions about jade. our carver who shared his experiences was very confident and knowledgeable as well, very approachable. taking a piece home on a necklace was a real treat!

My Jade journey

Kimberly_H, Jul 2024

I really enjoyed my time at Mountain Jade. Ariana is such a joy and her art work is so beautifully powerful. It was interesting to watch the artist create. I also enjoyed learning about the different types of Jade and some of the different Maori customs associated with the beautiful pieces. Thank you for a memorable experience.

A very interesting trip

Jonathan_M, Jun 2024

Really enjoyable trip. Was nice to be able to choose a bit of green stone to take away. There was lots to choose from so you could get one that you connected with.

Pounamu experience

Maddy_D, Mar 2024

Very informative talk at the start and end, good demonstration of knowledge about pounamu and we liked the little treat at the end with taking a keepsake home to gift etc. We would’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to do a little bit more hands on stuff. Nga mihi nui, Maddy & Puti.

Informative and interesting

Lois_S, Dec 2023

The tour host was very knowledgeable and presented very well and enthusiastic. Would recommend this tour

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thanks for visiting!

Really interesting tour

Kristi_S, Dec 2023

If you appreciate craftsmanship you will definitely appreciate this tour. It was interesting to learn about the types of jade and actually watch how the work is done to carve the stone! Many options to buy items too.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

So happy you enjoyed the tour! Thanks for visiting!

Loved the time that was given to us

Odette_Y, Dec 2022

I would not change anything as the young lady that did the talking was very good the carver’s where great My family really enjoyed the time there I would like to thank you very much

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Thank you for your review!

A definite must do even if you dont like jade.

Samantha_S, Oct 2022

Our guide and artist were very knowledgeable and answered our ever question... the different types of Jade was absolutely beautiful and a must do even if you are not into Jade and you get to take a piece home as a gift for doing the tour.