Te Wahipouna mu which means place of Greenstone was chosen in recognition of the great cultural significance of the area to Maori, especially as an ancient source of the prized Pouna mu (Greenstone). Te Wahip
ouna mu was granted its world heritage title by the World Heritage Convention in 1991.

Shaped by millions of years of glacial movement, the fjords and coasts of South West New Zealand are outstandingly beautiful.