Te Toka Pūmau

Te Toka Pūmau means “the enduring stone” or “the grounding stone,” reflecting the role of the central display piece within this set of taonga. All three pieces were carved from a single cobble of Inanga Pounamu, keeping them permanently connected through the same source stone and the same natural history formed within Te Wai Pounamu.

The display piece became the anchor for the set. To create its flat base, I removed a section from the cobble, and from that offcut I carved the two wearable taonga. That connection remains visible not only in the matching colours and patterning, but in the idea that the wearable taonga always return to the same grounding stone when not being worn. It gives the set a sense of belonging together rather than simply being separate carvings.

What makes the display piece special is that its form was already present within the cobble itself. I did not shape it into the form of a fern or mountain range. I only polished the front surface to reveal the stone beneath, leaving the natural outer edges untouched. The original contours of the cobble naturally create the silhouette of either a fern frond unfurling upward or a jagged mountain range rising from the landscape. That untouched outer surface keeps a strong connection to the original stone and the environment it came from.

The polished face reveals layered patterning running through the Inanga Pounamu, with dark opaque greens flowing through softer translucent tones. There is a strong sense of movement within the stone, almost like a bird’s-eye view of waves moving toward the shoreline. The contrast between the polished face and the natural rind gives the display depth and texture while preserving the natural character of the cobble.

The Roimata carries the traditional meaning of reflection, emotion, healing, and connection. Its wider freeform shape gives it a softer and more organic appearance, while the preserved natural rind on the back keeps part of the original cobble visible and untouched. The polished front contrasts strongly against that raw texture, emphasising the transformation of the stone while still honouring where it came from.

The Toki symbolises strength, determination, courage, and forward movement. Like the Roimata, it retains the natural outer skin of the cobble on the reverse side, grounding the carving back to its original form. The polished face reveals the rich colouring and layered structure within the Pounamu, while the black lashing provides a strong visual contrast against the softer green tones of the stone.

Together, the set reflects the idea that individual taonga can carry their own meanings and journeys while still remaining connected to something larger that grounds them. The display stone becomes the central point of that connection — a reminder of shared origins, shared history, and the enduring strength held within the stone itself.