Whanautahi
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Whanautahi

This is a spectacular pounamu and a spectacular set of carvings for this whanau. It is made from inganga pounamu from the Arahura river. It has chatoyant or pipiwhirauroa characteristics which can make it shimmer in the light. It is named for the long tail feathers of the pipiwhirauroa. First steps were choosing the slices…

Turangawaewae
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Turangawaewae

Pounamu is often used as a way of connecting with Aotearoa and with home. That is what this set is about. This is a double koru that goes across all three pieces. It represents the different paths we take and how they all lead to or start from the same center, home. Pounamu from Aotearoa…

Toki Raranga Weaving
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Toki Raranga Weaving

This is a combination of a toki form with a pattern to represent the weaving or raranga of harakeke/flax. Raranga can represent many things. It represents a variety of facets being woven together to create something more than the individual parts. In this way it can be used to represent a whanau, or community, or…

Moana Whanau
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Moana Whanau

This toki is made from the rare and beautiful Marsden Flower Jade, or Putiputi. The notches in the side are for his two children. The wave is to represent the deep connection with Te Moana – The Ocean he has, particularly through waka ama. I loved carving this wave. The lines came up so clean…