Ngā Ngaru o te Aroha

Ngā Ngaru o te Aroha (The Waves of Love) is a collection of four pounamu taonga that I carved for one family, celebrating an engagement while honouring the connections that bind generations together.

The commission came from a father in Australia, who wanted to create something meaningful for the engagement of his son Jamie and Sheridan. Rather than simply marking the occasion, he wanted each member of the family to have a taonga that reflected their place within it. The result was a collection that celebrates love, family, remembrance and the relationships that continue to grow over time.

Each taonga was carved from carefully chosen pounamu to suit the individual who would wear it. Jamie’s hei matau represents strength, safe journeys and always finding your way home. Sheridan’s kōuma features a flowing wave that symbolises resilience, balance and the ability to move through life’s changing tides together.

Jade’s taonga is a pāua shell, carved from the same piece of pounamu as Sheridan’s kōuma. Using the same stone was an intentional choice, creating a permanent connection between the two pieces and symbolising the relationship between the two women as the whānau grows and changes.

The fourth taonga is a seabird, carved in memory of Taylah, who sadly passed away in 2015. Her father wanted to ensure she remained part of this important family milestone. The seabird represents remembrance, guidance and the enduring presence of those we have lost. Although they may no longer walk beside us, they continue to shape our lives and remain part of every significant moment.

I named this collection Ngā Ngaru o te Aroha, meaning The Waves of Love. Like the ocean, love is always moving. It carries memories, strengthens relationships and connects people across time and distance. Each wave builds upon the last, linking those who came before with those creating new memories together.

It was a privilege to carve these four taonga and to help tell such an important family story through pounamu. Projects like this remind me that these carvings are more than beautiful objects. They become lasting symbols of identity, connection and the people we hold close, no matter where life takes us.