This is a very special set, made during the unexpected and tragic passing of a great man, son, father, and partner. We are forever connected to those close to us that pass; they are always with us. Having pounamu taonga is a way to have a tangible piece of that connection with us moving forward….
This exquisite 5 cm toki pendant, crafted from inanga pounamu, captures the essence of whitebait swimming up the awa (river) in their annual migration. The toki’s classic colouring, with its subtle variations in silver and grey, perfectly mimics the appearance of whitebait as they navigate the freshwater currents. The toki’s smooth, polished surface reflects the…
The toki, a traditional Māori adze, holds a significant place in Aotearoa’s history. More than just a tool, the toki was essential to Māori life pre-colonization, used for shaping wood for everything from waka (canoes) to whare (houses). It symbolized strength, authority, and connection to ancestors and the land. I am honored to present “Toki…
This toki, named Angitu Manawanui by its owner, is a beautiful piece imbued with deep meaning. Carved from Inanga pounamu featuring stunning Pīpīwharauroa chatoyancy, the pounamu itself originates from the Arahura River on the South Island of New Zealand. Measuring approximately 8cm in length, this toki is a powerful symbol of success achieved through unwavering…
The phrase “Tū Kotahi” in Māori means “standing together as one”. It’s the perfect name for the special set of toki I recently had the privilege to carve for a father and son in France. The toki is a traditional Māori taonga (treasure) pendant, shaped like an adze, a woodworking tool important in our culture….
This beautiful pounamu toki was a recent commission piece I completed here at Campbell Carving. Measuring just 5cm in height, it’s a captivating blend of delicacy and strength. The pounamu itself is a stunning piece of kawakawa pounamu, sourced from the Arahura River on the South Island of New Zealand. Kawakawa pounamu is renowned for…
This stunning 8cm toki pendant, name Ara Toa (Path of Courage), embodies the captivating beauty of pounamu (greenstone) and the rich symbolism of both Maori and Celtic cultures. Carved from inanga pounamu, a captivating stone known for its light green hues and mesmerizing pipiwharauroa chatoyancy, this toki features a unique twist – a Celtic knot…
The Arahura River, carving its path through the heart of Te Waipounamu (the South Island), is a place of immense natural beauty and cultural significance. For generations, Maori carvers have sought pounamu (greenstone) from its waters, recognizing its strength and beauty as a material fit for taonga (treasure). This 5cm toki pendant, hand-carved from kawakawa…
Taumutu, a small coastal settlement near Waihora, Lake Ellesmere, in New Zealand’s South Island, holds a rugged beauty shaped by the relentless sea. It was on this windswept beach that I discovered a beach pebble, a humble piece of ōnewa (greywacke) that whispered of hidden potential. With careful shaping and a respect for the stone’s…
Discover the captivating contrast and unique beauty of this 5cm toki pounamu pendant. Hand-carved to showcase the natural variations of pounamu, this piece blends the rich, deep green of kawakawa with a lighter, opaque green drawn from the stone’s outer rind. It’s a stunning tribute to the raw beauty of New Zealand’s precious stone. Kawakawa…
