Mana Whanau Tahi
This is a special set commissioned for a son on his 21st originally as just a toki. Mana is power, Whanau is family, and Tahi is one or unity in this case. The name of the set means powerful and strong family connection.
The original idea was a toki for the son something to bless his future with the love his Mother and Sister have for him. When their story was shared with me I knew that this needed to be a set not just a single toki.
When the kids were very young, his sister got cancer, 3 years old. Despite a brave struggle she did not make it. At the same time his Mum was diagnosed with cancer, fortunately she did survive this episode and is still with us.
It was important to me that this was made from one slice of pounamu, that all the pendants came from the positions they fit into each other when they are back together. The toki is for the son, the big pendant is for his Mum, and the little koru in the middle is for his sister, still very much in his heart and a part of his life. The way his Mum shared their story and with me was amazing, and beautiful, a real privilege to have been a small part of this journey and an honor to make this set.
These pendants will be worn separately but by the nature of where they come from and bond the represent will always remind the wearers of these other important and close people in their lives.
