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…
Recently, I had the privilege of sharing my workshop with Paul, a father of one of my close friends. Paul had been fossicking for pounamu on the beaches of the West Coast and arrived with an incredible collection of serpentine pounamu in a stunning array of colours and qualities. His excitement was contagious as he…
Some taonga carry not just the beauty of the stone but also the weight of deep familial connections. This set of three taonga, named He Aho Whānau, was created from a single block of Pounamu gifted to my customer by his father, who has since passed. The stone was already precious, filled with memories and…
Creating this set of Pounamu has been a truly special journey, and it feels only fitting to name it Te Ara Kōhatu, which translates to The Journey of the Stone. This name reflects not only the path the Pounamu has taken—from being discovered by the customer to being shaped into these four pieces—but also the…
I recently completed a special commission for a couple, carving a Toki and a four-piece linked bracelet from the same slice of stunning Marsden Flower Jade or Putiputi Pounamu. This set tells a beautiful story of connection, resilience, and shared journeys. The Toki: Strength and Perseverance The Toki features a mountain carved into its face—a…
As the year draws to a close, I’ve had the honour of creating a special set of taonga to recognise the contributions of the head students at my kura. This set of five Niho, carved from a single piece of Kawakawa Pounamu sourced from South Westland, embodies the connection these leaders have shared with each…
In carving this unique whānau set, I was inspired to create something truly meaningful that reflects the strength and unity of the family it represents. This set, named ‘Te Whare Kaha’ (The Strong House), embodies the foundation upon which this family stands—strong, interconnected, and enduring. When joined together, these pieces form the shape of a…
I is a special commission where I had the honour of working with a block of Pounamu passed down through a family for generations. The client felt it was time to transform this cherished stone into something their whānau could wear and treasure. From this pale green Inanga Pounamu, with its stunning black mineral inclusions,…
These two Toki were carved specifically to be presented to prize winners at a Early Childhood Council conference. Each Toki embodies the spirit of strength, wisdom, and leadership. The categories or the winners are Outstanding Achievement and Contribution to the ECC sector. In Māori culture, the Toki symbolises power, authority, and honour. Traditionally, it was…
This set, named Wairua Taonga, is crafted from the whitest Pounamu I could find, the rind of a Bowenite Tangiwai Pounamu. Working with this material was a unique challenge because the edge can be weaker, and I had to search diligently to find a solid section suitable for carving. The name Wairua Taonga means “Spiritual…
