Te Puna Rangimārie

The name of this taonga is Te Puna Rangimārie, which can be translated as “the source of peace.” The name reflects the idea that calm and wellbeing come from reconnecting with the centre of who we are. Like the koru that sits at the heart of the design, that centre becomes the starting point for growth, stability, and renewed connection with the wider world.

This taonga represents healing. It speaks to the process of restoring inner peace, balance, and confidence after difficult experiences. The koru spiral begins at a still point and moves outward, symbolising the way healing often starts quietly within before slowly expanding through a person’s life. From that center, strength and wellbeing begin to grow again.

In traditional carving the koru represents growth, renewal, and the unfolding of life. In this piece it reflects the journey of healing — a return to center and a reconnection with one’s own sense of grounding. Healing is rarely a straight path. Like the koru, it moves in a spiral, gradually opening outward as clarity, strength, and calm are restored over time.

I carved this taonga from a beautiful piece of pale green Inanga Pounamu. The stone is softly coloured and becomes gently translucent when held to the light, revealing subtle movement within the stone. The finished piece is an oval form around 60mm long, with the koru carved into the surface. Inanga Pounamu has a quiet quality to it. Its pale tones often feel calm and reflective, and when light passes through the stone it reveals a soft glow that gives the taonga depth and life.

For me, carving this piece was about shaping a stone that could hold meaning for a deeply personal journey. Every taonga carries a story, and this one reflects the strength that comes from returning to oneself and allowing a new chapter of life to unfold.