Mātau Whakatipu – Hook of Growth
This piece, now named Mātau Whakatipu, carries a deeply personal meaning for both the giver and the recipient. The name, chosen with great care, reflects growth and new beginnings, which are not only symbolised by the koru design but also deeply rooted in the story behind this taonga.
The original Hei Matau, lost after being sent for relashing, was a treasured part of the recipient’s journey. Losing something with such emotional weight can be difficult, but the creation of this new piece offered an opportunity to infuse it with even more meaning—more connection. Mātau Whakatipu represents not just the regrowth of the lost taonga but the new life and path ahead, just as a wedding symbolises a new stage of life.
The Hei Matau itself has always been a powerful symbol of strength and protection. Traditionally representing safe travel across waters, this version speaks to the protection of the journey ahead—together as a couple. But with the koru now woven into the design, it holds the added symbolism of unfolding, growth, and new begginnings. The koru is the fern frond just beginning to unfurl, full of potential and strength as it grows, much like the journey two people embark on when they commit to one another.
Calling this piece Mātau Whakatipu ties it not just to the past, but to the future as well, grounding it in the story of the people, their relationship, and the places they’ve been. It honours the growth of their bond and the life they will build together, with the same strength and beauty that comes from Aotearoa’s natural treasures.
I hope this taonga will be a heartfelt surprise, a symbol of not only the past they’ve shared but the many adventures and milestones that still lie ahead. Mātau Whakatipu embodies that delicate balance between loss and renewal, standing as a testament to the resilience we all carry, and the ability to find strength and growth through all of life’s stages.
