This taonga was carved as a companion piece to a Hei Toki I had previously made for a father, gifted to him by his rugby team for his 50th birthday. When he got in touch again, it was because he wanted something equally meaningful for his daughter – a piece that spoke to who she…
This is a beautiful form. I fell in love with it more as I carved it. The koru traditionally represents, new growth and challenges, new beginnings or a fresh start. The shape comes from the new shoots of ferns in the nghere, the bush as they unfurl to become the new fronds of the plant….
The name Te Manawa o te Wā means The Heart of Time. It speaks to the quiet truth at the centre of this taonga — that time is the most precious gift we are given. This toki was commissioned by a son whose mother, at 86, is nearing the end of her life. When she…
This piece is called Te Haerenga, meaning “The Journey.” I carved it as a wedding anniversary gift for a man to give to his wife. The design is centred on a single flowing koru that spirals outward, symbolising their journey together as a couple—from when they first met, through the life they’ve built, and into…
The koru is a powerful symbol in Maori culture, representing growth, new beginnings, and the unfurling fern frond. It’s a fitting image for a taonga pounamu (treasured greenstone) carving, a piece imbued with deep meaning and cultural significance. This piece is called ‘Koru Whanau’. This particular koru whanau carving, crafted from Marsden Kawakawa pounamu, is…
This Pounamu taonga is a stunning blend of craftsmanship and natural beauty. Standing at 50mm tall, it is carved from a piece of Inanga Pounamu—a stone known for its soft, pale green tones that evoke serenity and connection. When held to the light, this piece reveals a gorgeous olive-green glow, a subtle reminder of the…
