I’ve recently completed a special set of six Pounamu carvings to go alongside a children’s book authored and published by my wife, titled I Gaze Up at the Trees with Dirt on My Knees. The book is a beautifully written story that takes tamariki on a journey through the forests and rivers of Aotearoa, meeting…
This commissioned set of Pounamu taonga was carved for a special occasion—the wedding of a woman with whakapapa to Te Āti Awa, marrying her Australian partner. The set was commissioned by her brother as a gift to honour their journey, their connection, and the family they have built. The name Whiria te Taura, meaning “Weave…
This set of Hei Toki, named Aho Rua, symbolises the unbreakable bond between grandfather and grandson. The name translates to ‘Two Strands’, representing the intertwined journey of both individuals—distinct yet always connected, like the woven fibres of a strong cord. Each piece was carved from the same block of Pounamu from the Nelson/Whakatū area, reinforcing…
These two Hei Toki hold a special story, one that began long before they were shaped into their final forms. Their journey started when a mother went on a trip with some of her children to Hokitika and visited Arahura where she found these stones. Something about them called to her, a deep knowing that…
This taonga set, named Tūhono, symbolises deep connection. The name means to join or link together, reflecting the unbreakable bond between these two pieces, carved from the same slice of dark grey Uri Uri Pakohe. By sharing the same origins, these taonga will always be connected, whether worn by two people or held as a…
This set of four Pikorua was carved from a single slice of Kawakawa Pounamu, creating a deep connection between each taonga and the whānau it was made for. These pendants are for a mother and her three daughters, each one unique but linked by the same source stone, just as they are linked by whakapapa….
This set of three Toki is called Tai Ora, meaning The Living Tides. It symbolises the constant movement of the ocean and the unbreakable connection between a father and his sons, no matter the distance. Each Toki is carved from the same piece of Pounamu, a physical representation of their bond. The waves carved into…
This large set of Kawakawa Pounamu taonga features a 95mm Toki and a 95mm Roimata, both showcasing stunning cloudy patterning within a rich, deep green stone. These taonga were carefully crafted from a large boulder, and their creation journey—from the first cut through to the final carving—has been documented in a video that I’ve included…
Recently, I had the privilege of carving a unique and deeply meaningful set of taonga Pounamu for a father and his three children. This set, which I’ve named Ngā Hononga Whakakaha (Strengthening Bonds), symbolises the unbreakable connection between them, despite the challenges of living in different countries. These taonga represent love, strength, and the effort…
Creating a set of taonga Pounamu is always a meaningful journey, and this set, named Whakamānawa, holds a deep significance. The name, meaning “to honour,” reflects the bond shared by this family of five and the privilege of crafting these pieces from a single slice of Totoweka Pounamu. Totoweka Pounamu gets its striking name, meaning…
