Poutini is the name of the taniwha (water spirit) swimming up and down the West Coast of the South Island protecting both the people and the spiritual essence, or mauri, of the pounamu (greenstone). Poutini guards the mauri (life spirit) within the treasured stone. The mana or spiritual force of pounamu comes from Kahue (or Ngahue) an atua. Poutini as protector of the stone is the servant of Kahue.