Te Pou Whakaruruhau — a name that speaks to both strength and protection. “Te Pou” refers to a pillar, a central support that holds others up, while “Whakaruruhau” means shelter or a place of safety. Together, the name reflects a man who stands as a pillar for others, and a taonga created to offer him…
E mihi ana ki a koe, nɑ̄ tou whakaako, nā tou kōrero, nā tou waiata hoki. E tangata motuhake koe ki a tātou. E mihi ana ki tou tautoko ki a mātou i ngā wā katoa. Ka wairua kaha mātou nā tou aro. Tēnā koe e hoa. This Hei Tiki was carved as a gift…
This 9cm Hei Tiki is carved from serpentine stone from Tākaka, and it carries a story of friendship and reciprocity. I’ve named it Te Hokinga, which means “the return” – a name that reflects the kaupapa behind this taonga, created to return a favour from a friend. He sourced the stone himself, so it felt…
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…
