This is a piece I designed based on a pre European toki that was used for carving. I love the old shapes and simple elegance they have.
It is now with a good friend of mine in Germany. An important piece of New Zealand he can carry with him now.
This is the story behind one of my recent commissions, a unique Toki carved for an exceptionally talented artist. This piece holds a special significance, as it was created for Sean Fietje a painter known for his ultra-realistic landscapes, often depicting the stunning scenery of New Zealand’s South Island. I had the opportunity to personally…
This is a set made for a couple that are both having a 21st this year. Two pendants that are connected by the shared designs and meaning that they hold. The design represent them and their child. Simple, effective and meaningful.
I recently finished a special set of taonga for a whānau of four. They wanted something that marked their journey together and their deep connection to Aotearoa, and we decided to carve a matching set of toki from the same piece of stone. Using one stone for all four pieces meant the taonga would always…
The art of Pounamu carving is a tradition steeped in the cultural heritage of Aotearoa (New Zealand), a practice that transforms raw greenstone into meaningful taonga (treasures). One such creation is the “Mana Taonga,” a toki (adze) that is more than a mere ornament; it is a symbol of strength, courage, and authority. The Mana…
I recently carved a special piece of Pounamu for a colleague at my kura who has stepped into a significant leadership position. His dedication, guidance, and coordination in the work we’ve shared has been outstanding. I wanted to acknowledge his efforts in a meaningful way, so I created a taonga that symbolises the weight of…
This beautiful set of five taonga, named Ngā Manawa Kotahi (The United Hearts), was carved from a single piece of beach serpentine Pounamu that the whānau found themselves while travelling Te Waipounamu. It was important to them that the stone come from this whenua—a place they feel rooted in, even while living far across the…
