Te Pou Whirinaki – The Pillar of Support

This sculpture was carved to honour a man stepping into his thirties with strength, openness, and deep roots in Aotearoa. Te Pou Whirinaki speaks of someone who stands steady for others. A pillar that people lean on. A man guided by his ancestors, grounded in his whenua, and supported by the unseen threads that run through his life.

Carved from a single cobble of Inanga Pounamu from the Arahura River, this piece began with the full weight and shape of the stone in my hands. The outside of the cobble carried earthy browns, gold tones and weathered skin from its journey in the river. To reach the heart of the stone, I had to carve through that outer layer. Beneath it was deep Inanga, soft pale greens with moments of light that move gently when held at the right angle. There is a subtle chatoyancy within it, a quiet shimmer that only reveals itself when the light finds it.

The sculpture stands approximately 20 centimetres tall including its base. It rests on a crystallised chalcedony base supplied by the customer. The pale white tones and crystalline texture of the chalcedony offset the green of the Pounamu, lifting it and giving it presence.

The form follows the natural curve of the cobble. I had originally intended to use the entire stone, but not every part was strong enough. Some areas needed to be removed to honour the integrity of the piece. This is one of those carvings where you must listen carefully. The stone dictates what will last. The final shape emerged through removing weakness and keeping only what was solid.

The figure takes the form of a Manaia. It carries a large, pronounced beak and a flowing body that follows the original cobble’s line. A Pāua eye gives it life and awareness. At the rear, a whale’s tail rises and rests back against the body, symbolising strength, depth, and connection to the wider world.

The Manaia represents protection and spiritual guidance. It is often seen as a kaitiaki, a guardian that moves between realms. For this man, the form reflects both the practical and the mystical parts of his life. An electrician by trade, grounded and skilled with his hands, yet deeply aware of something more. He is strong, inquisitive, open to life, and willing to help anyone. People are drawn to him. They leave lighter after speaking with him. That kind of strength requires protection as much as it offers it.

Before shaping the sculpture, the first cut from the cobble produced a large Niho. That Niho now travels with him as a wearable taonga. The sculpture stands as a presence in his space, while the Niho rests close to his heart. Together they complete the original stone. One to stand. One to wear.

At 30, this taonga acknowledges him as a husband, a father, and a man who gives deeply of himself. It carries guidance from his ancestors, strength in his character, and the reminder that even those who support everyone else deserve protection and grounding in return.

Carving this piece was about patience and restraint. It was about honouring what the stone could sustain and allowing its natural form to lead. In the end, it stands steady. Solid. Present. Just as it was intended to be.