Carved from captivating kawakawa pounamu (greenstone), this pounamu pikorua is more than a beautiful taonga (treasure). It’s a symbol steeped in Maori cultural tradition, whispering stories of connection, unity, and enduring bonds. The very material of this pikorua, kawakawa pounamu, holds significance. Prized for its deep green hues and often featuring inclusions of white or…
This is a very special set. When I heard this story and what they wanted my heart went out to them. The father has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. This set is primarily for them as a tangible representation of his love and enduring presence after he is gone. Named He Aroha Tonutanga, which…
One of the most enchanting gifts that the land of Aotearoa (New Zealand) has offered to the world is the Pounamu stone. Often referred to as ‘greenstone’ or New Zealand jade, it’s much more than a simple mineral. It is a symbol of status, power, and prestige. And when carved with precision and passion, as…
Within the serenity of my workshop, a tale of artistry and cultural significance unfolded as I brought to life a unique pounamu pendant, now named Wairua Taonga. Join me as we unravel the captivating narrative behind this pendant, exploring the meaning embedded within its roimata shape, koru, and pikorua symbols. Through careful carving, the roimata…
Symbolic gestures have a unique way of adding profound depth to significant milestones. Aroha Roimata, a meticulously crafted pounamu pendant, serves as an eloquent illustration of this idea. This striking piece, a large roimata fashioned from Kawakawa pounamu from the Arahura River, tells a deeply personal story. As she stands at the threshold of her…
Gorgeous set of deep kawakawa pounamu. Toki and Pikorua. Here are some shots of the process. The finished set.
Having two pendants carved from the same piece of pounamu is special. It connects the wearers in a tangible way that fits perfectly with the commitments made at a wedding. This set is made from high quality deep green kawa kawa pounamu from the Arahura River. It is joy to carve and work with. The…
This is what is sounds like, a toki with a pikorua carved into it. The pikorua is on the back. The 5 notches on the sides are to represent whanau members. It is interesting to see some of the process to carve the pikorua into this toki.
This taonga is for a 21st, it is to connect as well as represent important values. The Pikorua or Twist is a symbol of interconnectedness. This is the sister piece to her brothers who received his on his 21st birthday in 2019 and this piece of pounamu was saved for her from the same slice….
This was a cool challenge, and came up great. The idea was to create a set for a man and his wife that were interconnected. He really wanted two pieces with toki and pikorua as the symbols. Having the pikorua symbol flow between them as well as having the pieces made from the same pounamu…