Broken Pounamu Repair

This gorgeous taonga had an unfortunate accident.

First off this was not my original carving. It appeared to have a twist at the top. There are a variety of thoughts on what it means when a pounmau breaks or is lost, as well as what do do with it. Some say it should be returned to awa where it came from, or buried as it is the end of its life. Some say that it shows that is protected you from something bad and sacrificed itself for you.

For me it is a part of the journey, just as all our lives are. We carry the scars of life and now this taonga also some scars to tell of its journey.

Similar Posts

  • Te Hiku o te Tohorā

    This whale tail was carved from a stunning piece of translucent Kahurangi Pounamu. The stone is exceptional—bright green with clarity and depth that catches the light beautifully. At 50mm high and 50mm wide, it’s a strong yet balanced form, finished with a black Roimata-style lashing at the top. The whale tail is a traditional Māori…

  • | |

    Ngākau Aroha

    The Ngākau Aroha set encapsulates the essence of affection and connection that is deeply rooted in the New Zealand Māori culture. From a single piece of kawa kawa Pounamu sourced from the Arahura River, these taonga – a three-centimeter heart and a five-centimeter circle with a double koru – are named to reflect the love…

  • Kawakawa Cross

    Pounamu, the treasured greenstone of New Zealand, holds deep spiritual and cultural significance. When carved into a cross, a timeless symbol of faith and spirituality, its power and beauty take on an even greater depth. I’d like to share my latest creation, a beautiful cross pendant carved from a rich, deep block of kawakawa pounamu….

  • Te Whai o Rakahuri

    This taonga is a 65mm whai (stingray) carved from stone gathered from the Rakahuri (Ashley River) in North Canterbury. It carries a strong sense of place, shaped not just by the stone itself, but by the connection the recipient has to that river, to Maukatere, and to the wider Hurunui landscape. The stone is a…

  • |

    Ruku – To Dive

    This is a pounamu that is part of a larger set. The set was made for a childrens book that my wife created. There is one pounamu for each page of the book. The main page for this is called Sand in my toes salt in my nose and you can see all the artwork and pounamu…

  • | |

    Tātau Whānau

    Tātau Whānau means “our family” or “all of us as a family.” I chose this name because these taonga come from a single slice of Pounamu that has travelled through generations of their Ngāi Tahu whānau. The name makes the meaning explicit: this stone has always belonged to the collective. By becoming a roimata and…