Ōnewa Niho

This Niho is carved from Ōnewa (basalt) that I personally collected from Akaroa, a place shaped by fire and sea. The deep grey stone carries the history of the land, formed through volcanic forces over thousands of years. This connection to the whenua gives the piece a sense of grounding and endurance.

The Niho design represents a tooth—a powerful symbol of strength, protection, and leadership. In Māori tradition, the niho of great creatures like whales and sharks symbolise resilience and guardianship, traits of those who stand strong for their whānau and navigate life’s challenges with determination.

This piece features a hidden hole, allowing the lashing to flow seamlessly around the stone, keeping the focus on the form of the Niho itself. It is bound with a tan cord, a warm contrast to the dark stone, symbolising the balance between strength and adaptability.

A taonga like this speaks of inner power and the connection to the natural world—carved from the land, shaped by its history, and given new life to be worn and treasured.