Pounamu Blog

  • Toki Māramatanga

    This piece is named Toki Māramatanga, meaning “clarity” or “enlightenment.” It began as a beach pebble – a raw, beautiful piece of Tangiwai Pounamu, found and brought to me by a customer. The stone had already been shaped by the sea and time, with a strikingly translucent, glassy surface that made it special. The customer…

  • Toki Totoweka

    This piece is named Toki Totoweka, referring to the reddish-brown colouring within the stone that becomes visible when held to the light. Totoweka is a rare colouring sometimes found in South Westland Pounamu and is known for its rich, earthy tones that seem to glow from within. The name acknowledges this taonga’s connection to the…

  • Te Mana Rākau

    This bright green Raukaraka Pounamu Toki is 80mm long and 45mm wide, carved with softly curved sides and a broad, bold shape that gives it real presence. Hints of orange run through the stone, adding warmth and variation to the vibrant green. The lashing is a rich harakeke-coloured cord, contrasting beautifully with the stone and…

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    Tirohanga

    This piece is called Tirohanga — “A View or Perspective” — referencing the manaia’s protective gaze and the broader perspective of life and sustenance represented by the unaunahi. It’s a taonga that speaks of insight, guardianship, and awareness — a piece for someone who carries vision and sees deeply into the world around them. This…

  • 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,…