Te Hokinga: Return of the Tiki

This 9cm Hei Tiki is carved from serpentine stone from Tākaka, and it carries a story of friendship and reciprocity. I’ve named it Te Hokinga, which means “the return” – a name that reflects the kaupapa behind this taonga, created to return a favour from a friend. He sourced the stone himself, so it felt especially meaningful to shape it into a Hei Tiki and give it back to him in this form. The process became as much about gratitude as it was about the craft itself.

This is the first Hei Tiki I’ve done in this hole-style form, and the first time I’ve included hands in the design. The piece hangs side-on, a traditional orientation that gives the tiki its characteristic stance. It also features pāua shell eyes, which bring it to life and add that extra glint of wairua.

There are so many surfaces on a Hei Tiki that it takes a huge amount of time and care to shape, smooth, and polish every one of them. But more than that, the challenge lies in the proportions. Everything has to sit in harmony: the head tilt, the size and placement of the eyes, the mouth shape, the belly, and the limbs. If one part feels out of place, it throws the whole piece off. It’s a demanding process, but incredibly rewarding when it all comes together.

Traditionally, Hei Tiki are worn as symbols of ancestral connection and fertility. They are often passed down through generations, worn close to the heart, and treated as taonga imbued with deep spiritual meaning. The shape is widely recognised in Aotearoa and has become a powerful cultural symbol of identity and whakapapa.

I loved seeing this piece come to life and reach a place where all the elements felt right. Hei Tiki are some of the most complex taonga to carve, but the finished form always feels worth the journey.