I Gaze Up at the Trees with Dirt on My Knees – Hononga Taonga Set

I’ve recently completed a special set of six Pounamu carvings to go alongside a children’s book authored and published by my wife, titled I Gaze Up at the Trees with Dirt on My Knees. The book is a beautifully written story that takes tamariki on a journey through the forests and rivers of Aotearoa, meeting native creatures like kiwi, kōkako, and glow worms. It’s told in both English and te reo Māori and encourages kids to connect deeply with te taiao – the natural world.

Each taonga I’ve carved carries a pattern of three interwoven lines. This pattern represents hononga – connection. It symbolises the bond between people, the environment, and the creatures that live within it. Just like the book, these taonga are about encouraging strong and lasting relationships with the natural world and each other.

Whether worn, held, or displayed, these pieces are a physical reminder of the message in the book: that connection with the world around us is something to nurture and carry forward.