|

Kawakawa Pounamu Toki – A Symbol of Connection

This stunning statement piece is an 85mm-long Toki carved from deep green Kawakawa Pounamu sourced from the Hokitika area. Known for its rich, deep colouring, Kawakawa Pounamu has always carried a sense of strength and beauty, making it the perfect pounamu for this taonga.

The Toki was commissioned as a heartfelt gift from a wahine to her tāne, a gesture of deep love and shared connection. She requested two koru to be carved into the back of the piece, close to his heart when worn. The two koru meet together, symbolising the journey of two lives touching, intertwining, and being shared—a special tohu (symbol) from her to him.

Traditionally, the Toki was a tool of strength and craftsmanship, often used as an adze to shape and carve wood. Over time, the Toki has come to represent qualities such as strength, resilience, and leadership. This piece is not just a taonga to be worn but also carries the mana of these traditional meanings.

The addition of the koru connects the Toki to ideas of growth, new beginnings, and relationships—a fitting reflection of the bond between the giver and the wearer. It’s a reminder of the journeys we take alongside those we love and the strength we gain from that connection.

This Toki stands as both a statement piece and a personal symbol of love and unity—a taonga that will carry meaning for generations.

Similar Posts

  • Recurved Toki Whetu

    This is an ataahua pounamu with a kaupapa to match. The number seven/whetu is significant to the wearer for many reasons. There are seven notches in the edge, 3 on one side and 4 on the other. This was commissioned just after the 7 week of level 4 lock down during the covid 19 measures…

  • | |

    Whānau Kotahi

    Pounamu, also known as New Zealand greenstone, holds immense cultural significance for the Maori people. It’s a vessel of stories, emotions, and traditions that span generations. The “Whānau Kotahi” set, which translates to “Unified Family”, is a beautiful embodiment of this sentiment. This particular set of four pendants, carved for a family of four –…

  • Grandads Toki

    My Grandfather passed away earlier this year.  He was almost 80 years old, his lungs started to fail him and he couldn’t keep his body running any more.  He was a much loved member of our family and there is still a huge gap he has left behind. I made these pieces because of him….

  • Ōnewa Toki – Strength

    This Toki is carved from Ōnewa, a dense and weighty basalt sourced from Akaroa on Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū (Banks Peninsula). At 55mm long, it carries the natural strength of the stone, formed through volcanic activity that shaped the land millions of years ago. Ōnewa is a stone of endurance, shaped by fire and time,…

  • 7cm Totoweka Toki

    The toki, or adze, is a traditional Maori tool that once played a vital role in the daily life of Maori communities. Carved from the revered greenstone, the toki now serves as a pendant, offering not only a visual connection to the past but also a symbolic representation of power, wisdom, and authority. The toki…