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…
This was a special set of taonga, created for a collector who wanted a sample of several different stone types from Aotearoa. Each taonga is carved from a different kind of stone, representing the incredible variety and richness of our whenua. The collector wanted to showcase not just the beauty, but also the diversity of…
This set of Pounamu, named Tūhonoa (To Be Bound Together), was carved for a couple who wanted something to embody the strength of their connection. The name draws from “tūhono” meaning to join or connect, and “-a” to give it a passive and enduring quality – something that is bound, joined, united. It speaks to…
This set of taonga was carved for a couple who are engaged and soon to be married. It was commissioned by their parents as a way to mark the significance of this moment in their lives – a gesture of aroha, blessing, and connection. I have named the set Puna Aroha – The Spring of…
This piece is named Toki Māramatanga, meaning “clarity” or “enlightenment.” It began as a beach pebble – a raw, beautiful piece of Tangiwai Pounamu, found and brought to me by a customer. The stone had already been shaped by the sea and time, with a strikingly translucent, glassy surface that made it special. The customer…
This piece is named Toki Totoweka, referring to the reddish-brown colouring within the stone that becomes visible when held to the light. Totoweka is a rare colouring sometimes found in South Westland Pounamu and is known for its rich, earthy tones that seem to glow from within. The name acknowledges this taonga’s connection to the…
This bright green Raukaraka Pounamu Toki is 80mm long and 45mm wide, carved with softly curved sides and a broad, bold shape that gives it real presence. Hints of orange run through the stone, adding warmth and variation to the vibrant green. The lashing is a rich harakeke-coloured cord, contrasting beautifully with the stone and…
This piece is called Tirohanga — “A View or Perspective” — referencing the manaia’s protective gaze and the broader perspective of life and sustenance represented by the unaunahi. It’s a taonga that speaks of insight, guardianship, and awareness — a piece for someone who carries vision and sees deeply into the world around them. This…
Te Maunga Nui is a large toki, 95mm long, carved from richly coloured Kawakawa Pounamu from South Westland. It was commissioned by a mother for her son, who also happens to be an old friend of mine. Creating a taonga for someone I’ve shared parts of life with made this piece extra special. The name,…
