Te Maunga Nui

Te Maunga Nui is a large toki, 95mm long, carved from richly coloured Kawakawa Pounamu from South Westland. It was commissioned by a mother for her son, who also happens to be an old friend of mine. Creating a taonga for someone I’ve shared parts of life with made this piece extra special. The name, Te Maunga Nui, speaks to the deep connection he holds with his ancestral mountain – Mount Ruapehu – and honours the strength, significance, and presence that maunga carry within whakapapa and personal identity.

This toki is made from an exceptional piece of Pounamu, with deep greens and subtle Totoweka hues – reddish-brown streaks that only reveal themselves when held to the light. These colours, found only in some Kawakawa Pounamu from South Westland, are rare and beautiful, adding another layer of meaning and uniqueness to the taonga.

Down the front edge of the toki, I carved the outline of Mount Ruapehu, a place tied closely to his whakapapa and life journey. It grounds the toki to his whenua and reflects his connection to the land and his people. The design is simple but powerful, echoing the role of the toki as a symbol of strength, determination, and leadership. It was traditionally used as a working tool and later as a ceremonial symbol, carrying great mana.

To carve a taonga for someone I’ve known so long, and to be trusted by his mother to create something meaningful, is a real privilege. Te Maunga Nui now carries both that personal connection and the enduring presence of his maunga, close to his heart.