Te Pou o te Whānau – Inanga Pounamu Hei Toki
Te Pou o te Whānau means “the pillar of the family”. This name was chosen for a large hei toki commissioned by a mother and her three daughters as a Father’s Day gift for the father of their whānau. It recognises his strength, his importance and the place he holds within the family. Most importantly, it reminds him that he belongs, he is loved and he is valued.
This is the first taonga the three daughters have gifted to their dad. It was created as something they could give back to him in recognition of everything he gives to them as a father.
The hei toki is carved from pale green inanga Pounamu and measures approximately 190 mm long by 50 mm wide. It is a substantial piece, with the size giving it a strong presence. The stone is a deeper pale green around the base, gradually becoming lighter towards the top. It is finished with a tan lashing and cord, which works naturally with the soft colouring of the Pounamu.
The changing colour of the stone became an important part of the meaning. The lighter areas reminded the family of the youthful energy of early fatherhood, while the deeper green represents the experience, maturity and strength that have developed as their family has grown. Together, these colours reflect a father growing alongside his children.
Three notches carved into the side of the toki represent his three daughters. They are permanently carried within the design, just as they are always part of his life and identity as a father.
The toki traditionally represents strength, courage, leadership and determination. In this taonga, those qualities relate directly to fatherhood—the strength required to support a family, the responsibility of guiding children and the commitment to remain a steady presence in their lives. Its large scale reinforces the importance of that role.
It was meaningful to carve a taonga that carries such a direct message from three daughters to their dad. Te Pou o te Whānau is a reminder of the family he has helped build and of the love, belonging and appreciation that surround him.
