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….
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…
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…
