I carved this toki as a commissioned taonga named Kaha o te Ngaru. The name means “the strength of the wave,” and it speaks to resilience, movement, and the enduring power of the ocean as a source of guidance and protection. This piece brings together Māori and Pasifika symbolism in a single form, designed to…
I carved this pair of toki as a special commission for a father who wanted to gift something deeply personal to his two daughters. I have named this set Te Tirohanga Whānau, which translates to “The Gaze of the Family,” reflecting the idea of parents always watching over, guiding, and caring for their children. The…
Te Whenua e Tūhono Ana translates as “the land that connects us”. It speaks to connection through place, whakapapa, and whānau, and to the way land can bind people together through care, work, and shared responsibility. This name reflects both the kaupapa of this set and the origin of the kōhatu itself. This set of…
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…
I recently carved this 75mm hei toki from a deep, rich green piece of pounamu. When you turn it in the light, fiery burnt orange and red tones shine through the stone, much like the colours found in tōtōweka within a kawakawa base. The contrast gives the toki a real sense of energy and life….
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…
Kārearea Aroaro speaks to presence, steadiness, and the calm strength a person carries without needing to show it. The name reflects someone who stands firm through the seasons of life, grounded in who they are, aware of those who came before them, and ready to guide those who will follow. It acknowledges a new chapter…
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….
