I recently had the privilege of carving a special set of taonga for a groom and his groomsmen — five pairs of cuff links, each made from deep green translucent Kawakawa Pounamu. This stone was carefully selected and sliced to create a sense of unity across all the pieces. Each cuff link features a hand-carved…
This set of Wood Badge beads was a special commission, carved from Kawakawa Pounamu. Traditionally, Wood Badge beads are made from wood and awarded to Scout leaders who complete advanced leadership training. The tradition traces back to 1919, when Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Scout Movement, began awarding wooden beads as a symbol of leadership…
This piece is called Te Haerenga, meaning “The Journey.” I carved it as a wedding anniversary gift for a man to give to his wife. The design is centred on a single flowing koru that spirals outward, symbolising their journey together as a couple—from when they first met, through the life they’ve built, and into…
It started as a quiet walk on the beach. She wasn’t even looking for anything, just spending time with her husband along the West Coast shoreline. But something caught her eye—a single stone, standing out among the rest. She picked it up and brought it to me to see what could be made from it….
I found this stone myself, a smooth pebble of Serpentine Pounamu washed up on a beach here in Aotearoa. After carrying it home and cutting into it, I discovered rich layers of green and earthy brown inside, framed by a textured orange rind. I carved it into a Kōuma 8cm by 6cm, a traditional breastplate…
This set of four taonga, named Whānau Koru, was created to symbolise deep connection, whakapapa, and the strength found in whānau. Each piece carries the same etched koru design and was carved from the same piece of Pounamu to keep them physically and symbolically connected. The name Whānau Koru captures what these taonga stand for…
This 7cm Hei Toki is carved from Hapopo Pounamu, found in the rivers of South Westland. The stone is rich and dark until held to the light, where Totoweka colouring—deep reddish-browns—shines through. I finished this taonga with a black lashing and a four-braid cord, simple and strong. This piece was created as a 21st birthday…
I’ve recently completed a special set of six Pounamu carvings to go alongside a children’s book authored and published by my wife, titled I Gaze Up at the Trees with Dirt on My Knees. The book is a beautifully written story that takes tamariki on a journey through the forests and rivers of Aotearoa, meeting…
This 10cm Hei Toki is carved from blue-grey Pounamu sourced from the Nelson region. This variety of Pounamu has a calm, stormy tone to it – a mix of soft greys and subtle blue hues that give the stone a quiet strength. It has a fine-grained texture and a solid feel in the hand, with…
This commissioned set of Pounamu taonga was carved for a special occasion—the wedding of a woman with whakapapa to Te Āti Awa, marrying her Australian partner. The set was commissioned by her brother as a gift to honour their journey, their connection, and the family they have built. The name Whiria te Taura, meaning “Weave…
