Westland Greenstone — Local services in South Island

A gorgeous shop with gorgeous pieces of taonga and art. Unfortunately I came in and enquired about re-stringing a pounamu for my partner, and was told no by the first worker. When another worker piped in to try to help, saying she could try, she got shut down and it was incredibly uncomfortable. I tried to de-escalate and say it's fine don't worry but the two continued to argue. I also felt like I was being targeted as the provoker, and I did not enjoy feeling like the blame was being placed on me for upsetting her for simply asking a question. The second worker did her best not to provoke the first worker, but clearly the first worker was already grumpy and decided to take it out on her worker and myself. I was enquiring about something special and was made to feel like a naughty child at school and I did NOT appreciate the way the first worker spoke to me or her other younger employee. I actually ended up crying in the store and running out, which either the worker noticed and thought "good riddance" or she was so blissfully unaware of her despicable behaviour and so unaware of the feeling of those around her that she didn't notice how her behaviour makes other people feel. I sat outside crying and my partner eventually noticed I had left and consoled me. I don't think it's acceptable to speak to customers and staff in this way and I have withheld my review for 2 months but honestly I still haven't been able to stop thinking about how appalled was by this workers behaviour. It was a real damper on that day of our special holiday. I was luckily able to take my business elsewhere, where I was looked after and treated with respect. Do not go here if you expect to be treated like a human. I have seen other reviews saying people were mistreated based on their race. I am also a dark skinned asian and I was incredibly surprised to be treated this way, hokitika had generally been so kind and welcoming to me. But I did notice how this lade spoke to my white partner compared to how she spoke to me. She should NOT be running a business if she is going to disrespect, assume and racially profile people and allow that to dictate her behaviour....

We are a group of 11 people of Indian Origin some from USA and some from India on a family trip , Because our Bus was parked right in front of the store and we were interested in local Jades we walked in and our people were exploring their interests. The 2 sales people were there not interested in showing and rude. After a few minutes , someone in our group was walking to the bus and the lady manager went out demanded them to empty their pockets saying she saw him pocketing a ring, which he obliged and emptied and there was nothing and I happened to notice this took a serious offense to it and demanded an explanation, She claims she saw him pocket a ring which she claims his wife handed to him and it’s on the camera and she saw him do that, I demanded to see the footage but she claims she can’t take me in to the safe room and therefore can’t show it . Then the wife told the manager she handed him keys which was interpreted as stealing something . It was humiliating and offensive experience and it leaves a very poor impression about the visit and the country. I know she doesn’t represent the society and the country but for a vacationer it leaves a very poor impression and...

My partner and I were in Hokitika in June 2025 and we had a really lovely experience in this shop. The two staff who served us were amazing. Queenie shared her insights and inspired words about a piece of greenstone that I ended up purchasing. She was able to tune in, with kindness and compassion, to my reasons for being drawn to this piece. She was amazing and I shall never forget her. I treasure my stunning piece of pounamu and it brings me comfort and peace every day. My partner had the good fortune to find a beautiful piece of greenstone on the Hokitika beaches. She brought it into the shop and Elise wove a perfect platted string for it - complementing it so well. My partner wears this raw pounamu piece every day - feeling its power and healing. We both feel blessed to have had this amazing connection with Queenie and Elise. Thankyou...