Te Kaha o te Toki – The Strength of the Adze

Te Kaha o te Toki means “The Strength of the Adze”, a name that reflects both the traditional meaning of the toki and the sheer presence of this taonga. At 13 cm long, 5.5 cm wide and more than 2 cm thick, this is a substantial toki, with a weight and scale that give its symbolism real physical presence.

I carved this piece from hāpuka Pounamu, a kawakawa stone from South Westland. It has the rich, deep greens typical of kawakawa, moving through to very dark, almost black inclusions. Its thickness allows the depth of the stone to show clearly, while its size gives it a strong, solid feel in the hand.

The toki takes its form from the traditional adze, one of the most important tools in Māori life. Adzes were used for demanding work, including shaping timber for waka, whare and other important structures. Because of this, the toki has come to symbolise strength, determination, courage and the ability to work steadily towards a goal. It can also represent leadership — not simply authority, but the strength and responsibility needed to help shape a path forward.

In a toki of this size, those ideas feel particularly appropriate. Te Kaha o te Toki is deliberately large and weighty. It is a taonga with presence, representing strength that is solid and dependable, and the determination to keep working through the challenges that stand in the way.

It is finished with a traditional black toki lashing and suspended from a substantial eight-braid round neck cord, giving the cord the strength and scale needed to match the taonga.

This was a satisfying piece to carve. The size allowed me to retain a lot of the natural depth and character of the Pounamu, creating a toki that feels powerful both physically and in what it represents.