This Hei Tiki, named Whakamaharatanga – meaning “to remember” – was carved as a special commission for someone wanting to honour and remember his father who has passed. It’s made from Serpentine Pounamu that I found on the beaches near Hokitika – a piece with deep dark green colouring and striking pale orange tones running…
John got in touch with me because he had a strong desire to carve a Hei Tiki. He had never carved pounamu before, but he had done some wood carving and had a clear creative vision. He knew what he wanted the finished taonga to look and feel like, and together we spent a good…
This Hei Tiki is a taonga created to honour a milestone—the 50th birthday of a cherished partner. At 11cm long, 7cm wide, and 18mm thick, it carries both presence and mana. The Raukaraka Pounamu used for this piece is striking, with pale greens merging into deep oranges and browns, reflecting the natural beauty of the…
This Hei Tiki, named Whakatipu, embodies the deep ancestral connections and ongoing growth symbolised by this traditional taonga. The name Whakatipu means ‘to grow, to develop,’ representing the continuous journey of learning, strength, and identity that Hei Tiki are known to carry. Carved from Raukaraka Pounamu, this piece is a striking golden-orange throughout due to…
This special piece, my first ever hei tiki carving (Whakairia), holds deep meaning for me. Crafted from serpentine pounamu in a vibrant green with dramatic black dendrites, it stands at 11cm and hangs from a braided tan cord. But there’s something unique about this hei tiki. You’ll notice a visible flaw on the left side…
