The name Te Here Whakapapa speaks to the binding threads of lineage and connection. “Here” means to tie or bind, and “whakapapa” refers to genealogy, the layers of connection that link people across generations. This set was created to honour a single piece of Pounamu that had been held by this whānau for decades, now…
Some stones carry the presence of deep time within them. I named this taonga Te Mauri Onamata, meaning the life force of ancient times. The fossil shells preserved in the stone are the remains of living creatures from long before people walked this land. Because of that, the piece speaks about continuity, endurance, and our…
This piece is named Aroaro, meaning presence — the essence of being seen, known, and protected. The Kōuma form, shaped like a breastplate, symbolises strength and nurturing. It rests close to the heart, representing inner resilience and the warmth of connection. Traditionally, a Kōuma offers protection and grounding, a reminder of ancestral strength and the…
This kōuma, a breastplate carved from stunning Marsden Flower Jade, holds both beauty and deep personal significance. Measuring around 70mm across, it carries the rich translucent greens that Marsden stone is famed for, and more than half the surface blooms with golden and white inclusions — a flowering that makes this stone truly unique. The…
This set of taonga is called Te Piringa Aroha — “The Shelter of Love.” It was carved from Kawakawa Pounamu sourced from the Arahura River, a stone known for its grounding energy and deep green colour, often linked with healing and connection. The porohita is 5cm wide and features a 3-hole ringbolt lashing across the…
This large Kōuma breastplate, named “Te Tūāpapa o te Manawa” – The Foundation of the Heart, is carved from rich, vibrant Tākiri Pounamu, sourced from Douglas Creek in Te Waipounamu. Measuring 75mm high and 110mm wide, this piece is solid and strong, with most of the weight carried at its base. The shape gently narrows…
This set of three taonga was carved as a special commission for a customer who had sourced his own jade from overseas and arranged for it to be sent directly to me. While this jade is not Pounamu, it was still treated with the same respect and intention I give to all taonga I create….
I found this stone myself, a smooth pebble of Serpentine Pounamu washed up on a beach here in Aotearoa. After carrying it home and cutting into it, I discovered rich layers of green and earthy brown inside, framed by a textured orange rind. I carved it into a Kōuma 8cm by 6cm, a traditional breastplate…
This set of four taonga, named Whānau Koru, was created to symbolise deep connection, whakapapa, and the strength found in whānau. Each piece carries the same etched koru design and was carved from the same piece of Pounamu to keep them physically and symbolically connected. The name Whānau Koru captures what these taonga stand for…
This taonga is a Kōuma, a breastplate carved from Kokopu Pounamu. Measuring 6cm wide and 4cm high, it carries deep significance as a symbol of inner strength, resilience, and guardianship. Resting against the chest, the Kōuma protects the wearer, much like the sternum shields the heart. Kokopu Pounamu is named for its resemblance to the…
