Classic Toki with Koru
Classic toki is a wonderful shape, and adding the koru in really sets it off.

My Grandfather passed away earlier this year. He was almost 80 years old, his lungs started to fail him and he couldn’t keep his body running any more. He was a much loved member of our family and there is still a huge gap he has left behind. I made these pieces because of him….
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 was made for a man to give to his woman to commemorate their wedding. The three korus are to represent three significant attributes and strengths. They are Mana, Pride, and Motherhood. It is made from Marsden Flower Jade, or Putiputi. The yellow and gold coloring is where the ‘flower’ part of the name comes…
Toki, traditional Maori adzes, are renowned for their strength and the skilled hands required to craft them. But sometimes, the greatest transformations occur when we surrender to nature’s artistry, as is the case with my newest piece, “Dawnlight”. This toki began its life as a humble agate, a gemstone formed within the fiery heart of…
I is a special commission where I had the honour of working with a block of Pounamu passed down through a family for generations. The client felt it was time to transform this cherished stone into something their whānau could wear and treasure. From this pale green Inanga Pounamu, with its stunning black mineral inclusions,…
This is how I tie my pounamu toki bindings with pendants that have a hole. It makes a really nice tight, flush binding. I use 1mm waxed braid for the cord. [kad_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KmjB47c9Mg” ] Check out the other posts on the tutorial page for how to tie a whipping and if you want…