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…
I want to share a pounamu pendant that holds a story close to my heart. It’s a piece I call “Kaha Wahine,” which translates to “Strong Woman” in Te Reo Māori. The name wasn’t chosen lightly. This pounamu was commissioned by a remarkable woman who has battled and emerged stronger from breast cancer. The pounamu…
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…
This set is part of a much larger project. My wife Roz has created her first book, a childrens book called Sand in my toes salt in my nose. It is about a classic kiwi beach holiday. As a part of the project I have created a set of pounamu representing core elements of each…
Horoeka Haemata – Rolleston College has its first cohort of learners graduating this year. I have the privilege of making a set of pounamu for the 5 Head Students that make up the student leadership team from this year. The Niho is a symbol that links strongly with shark and/or whale teeth. It represents leadership,…
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…
To me this set is everything that whanau should be. It is connection. It is values. It is tangible representation of the loving bond that a cohesive whanau has. This is a set full of meaning and depth. It was commissioned by the Mum who has recently received a terminal cancer diagnosis! Devastating! She wanted…
This is a set that I was honored to be asked to make, to be able to contribute to this whanau journey in a small way means a lot to me. This is a set for a Mother and her two young boys. The way she put it got straight to the core of why…
This piece is a pendant that symbolises a journey of growth and healing. It is a beautiful thing to hear that someone is proud to be who they are and that they are caring for themselves as the owner of this will be. This is a gorgeous bright green pounamu with chatoyant fibres in it…
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…