Manu Huia

I have named this taonga Manu Huia, a reference to the treasured huia whose feathers were symbols of status, respect, and deep reverence. A huia feather represents dignity, leadership, and the carrying of whakapapa. It is a reminder of those we honour, the stories we hold, and the responsibility we carry as we move forward. That sense of respect and remembrance sits at the heart of this piece.

This taonga is a 95mm huia feather carved from a beautiful piece of translucent serpentine from the Nelson–Tasman area. The stone holds a deep, dark green tone when resting in ordinary light, almost black, echoing the rich colouring of the original huia feather. When lifted to the light, the stone comes alive. Its translucent body reveals fine patterning and depth within, showing the natural beauty hidden inside the pounamu.

I kept the opaque white rind and shaped it into the soft, pale tip of the feather. That natural transition from dark to light captures the subtle gradient seen in real huia feathers and adds a quiet sense of authenticity to the piece. The lashing is kept simple and clean in black to let the form of the feather speak for itself.

Carving a huia feather always feels significant. The huia is woven into our cultural awareness as something rare, precious, and irreplaceable. Making this taonga was a way of honouring that legacy and creating a piece that carries both memory and meaning. It was special to shape a stone that could hold that symbolism with such clarity.