This 9cm Hei Tiki is carved from serpentine stone from Tākaka, and it carries a story of friendship and reciprocity. I’ve named it Te Hokinga, which means “the return” – a name that reflects the kaupapa behind this taonga, created to return a favour from a friend. He sourced the stone himself, so it felt…
This taonga is called Whakapiri — meaning “to come together” — honouring the powerful bond between mother and child, and the role of this taonga in holding that connection across time. This commissioned ripi has been carved from stunning, translucent pale green Inanga Pounamu — some of the finest I’ve worked with. Soft and creamy…
This Hei Tiki, named Whakamaharatanga – meaning “to remember” – was carved as a special commission for someone wanting to honour and remember his father who has passed. It’s made from Serpentine Pounamu that I found on the beaches near Hokitika – a piece with deep dark green colouring and striking pale orange tones running…
This taonga began its life as a glassy Tangiwai pebble from the remote and rugged coastline of Anita Bay, deep in Fiordland. This is the only place in the world where this unique variety of Tangiwai – with its rare glass-like clarity – is found. I didn’t shape this piece. I didn’t need to. Its…
This is the first full-sized mere I’ve ever carved—a taonga that holds real weight, in every sense. At 36cm long and 12cm wide, this is a substantial and commanding piece. Made from deep green Kawakawa Pounamu from the Hokitika region, it is large, solid, and purposeful—carved to reflect both strength and dignity.—a taonga that holds…
John got in touch with me because he had a strong desire to carve a Hei Tiki. He had never carved pounamu before, but he had done some wood carving and had a clear creative vision. He knew what he wanted the finished taonga to look and feel like, and together we spent a good…
This 7cm Kapeu is carved from Kahurangi Pounamu, a stone prized for its vivid clarity and rich green tone. The high translucency of this piece reveals a depth and glow that shifts in the light, showing off the natural beauty of the stone. It hangs from a tan 4-braid cord, simple and strong, complementing the…
This Hei Tiki is a taonga created to honour a milestone—the 50th birthday of a cherished partner. At 11cm long, 7cm wide, and 18mm thick, it carries both presence and mana. The Raukaraka Pounamu used for this piece is striking, with pale greens merging into deep oranges and browns, reflecting the natural beauty of the…
This Hei Tiki, named Whakatipu, embodies the deep ancestral connections and ongoing growth symbolised by this traditional taonga. The name Whakatipu means ‘to grow, to develop,’ representing the continuous journey of learning, strength, and identity that Hei Tiki are known to carry. Carved from Raukaraka Pounamu, this piece is a striking golden-orange throughout due to…
I recently completed a special commission for a 12cm Manaia carved from a stunning piece of very pale, almost white Inanga Pounamu. This taonga has been named Mana Tāwhito, meaning “Ancient Power.” The name reflects the deep spiritual significance of the Manaia as a guardian and its connection to ancestral wisdom and strength. The Manaia…
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