I created this set of eight Hei Toki for a group of school leavers who have each excelled in their areas. These taonga were carved to recognise their hard work, determination, and the qualities that helped them stand out during their final year at school. Each toki is a reminder of their achievement and a…
These two Hei Toki were carved as a continuation of a story that began with their father. A few years ago, I made him a Toki named Hononga, a piece that carried the kaupapa of connection — connection to people, to place, and to the whenua of Te Wai Pounamu. When he asked me to…
These two taonga were carved as a matched pair, created to honour a brother and sister and the strength of their bond. Their parents wanted each toki to reflect who their children are, what they stand for, and the work they do in the world. The kaupapa that guided this set was whakapumau — enduring…
I recently finished a special set of taonga for a whānau of four. They wanted something that marked their journey together and their deep connection to Aotearoa, and we decided to carve a matching set of toki from the same piece of stone. Using one stone for all four pieces meant the taonga would always…
Tātau Whānau means “our family” or “all of us as a family.” I chose this name because these taonga come from a single slice of Pounamu that has travelled through generations of their Ngāi Tahu whānau. The name makes the meaning explicit: this stone has always belonged to the collective. By becoming a roimata and…
At the Inside Pounamu wānanga at Otago University, I had the chance to take part in a scientific and cultural exploration of how heat affects pounamu. I began with a single slab of South Westland pounamu and cut it in half. One half was left in its natural state, while the other was carefully heat-treated….
These two taonga were carved from a single piece of Inanga Pounamu, brought to me by a whānau member to create something lasting and meaningful from stone that held deep personal significance. The Pounamu had been with their beloved husband and grandfather in his final days, kept close as a taonga that symbolised his strength…
This beautiful set of five taonga, named Ngā Manawa Kotahi (The United Hearts), was carved from a single piece of beach serpentine Pounamu that the whānau found themselves while travelling Te Waipounamu. It was important to them that the stone come from this whenua—a place they feel rooted in, even while living far across the…
I’ve named this set “Ngā Toki o te Māia” — meaning The Toki of courage. The name reflects the kaupapa behind these taonga: a desire to strengthen the bond between two brothers and to gift something that represents inner courage, resilience, and shared whakapapa. Both taonga were carved from the same stone, carrying the same…
This special set of taonga, named Ngā Piringa Rua (The Two Connections), was made for a couple living in the UK who, while making a happy life overseas, still hold a deep connection to Aotearoa. The name reflects both their connection to each other and their shared bond with their sons and the whenua of…
