Puna Aroha

This set of taonga was carved for a couple who are engaged and soon to be married. It was commissioned by their parents as a way to mark the significance of this moment in their lives – a gesture of aroha, blessing, and connection. I have named the set Puna Aroha – The Spring of Love. The name speaks to love as a source – ever-flowing, life-giving, and enduring. Just like a puna that nourishes the whenua around it, these taonga symbolise a love that sustains and supports the journey ahead.

Both pieces were shaped from the same slice of Kahotea Pounamu, a dark, rich stone known for its depth and strength. That shared origin is more than just a material connection – it symbolises a unity of journey, a shared whakapapa going forward, and the bond between two people stepping into the next stage of life together.

I added a koru to the base of each taonga, curling upward towards the top. When laid side by side, these koru face each other – a reflection of two lives growing together, leaning in towards one another. The koru is a powerful symbol of growth, new beginnings, and the unfurling path ahead. It roots the taonga in te ao Māori, and visually brings the two forms into conversation with each other.

The 70mm Toki represents strength, courage, and the ability to shape and carve one’s path. Traditionally worn by those who lead with integrity and purpose, it carries the mana of the toki as both a tool and a symbol of action.

The 60mm Roimata speaks to healing, comfort, and shared emotion. Its form is flowing and grounded, often gifted to express compassion and deep connection. Together with the Toki, it represents balance – strength alongside tenderness, purpose alongside presence.

Both taonga are finished with black lashings and cords – a timeless and grounding aesthetic that holds the stone securely while allowing the natural beauty of the Pounamu to shine through.

Carving these two pieces from the same stone was a quiet honour. The connection they hold now mirrors the connection they are intended to celebrate – a relationship, a promise, and a future shared.