I’ve recently carved this Pounamu Kōuma, a 70mm wide breastplate made from Kahotea Pounamu. This stone carries deep green tones emerging through a base of white-flecked green, with hints of warm orange adding to its uniqueness. The kōuma is secured with a black 4-braid cord on a ringbolt lashing, giving it strength and presence. The…
I’ve recently carved this Kokopu Pounamu Porohita, a 60mm circular pendant with an incredible speckled pattern that gives this stone its name. Kokopu Pounamu is named after the native freshwater fish of Aotearoa, known for their distinctive spots. This type of Pounamu often carries earthy green and brown tones with unique markings, making every piece…
Some taonga hold a story so deeply woven with love and resilience that they become more than a pendant—they become a source of strength, a reflection of a journey, and a connection to those who walk alongside us. This piece, Te Puna Aroha (The Well of Love), was carved from a beautiful piece of Aroha…
This piece began as a simple tumbled pendant, but when I saw the translucent bright green Tangiwai Pounamu, I knew it needed something more. The colour, the glow—it deserved a design that matched the beauty of the stone itself. The solution came in the form of a koru, carefully carved into the side of the…
This taonga set, named Tūhono, symbolises deep connection. The name means to join or link together, reflecting the unbreakable bond between these two pieces, carved from the same slice of dark grey Uri Uri Pakohe. By sharing the same origins, these taonga will always be connected, whether worn by two people or held as a…
This Hei Tiki, named Whakatipu, embodies the deep ancestral connections and ongoing growth symbolised by this traditional taonga. The name Whakatipu means ‘to grow, to develop,’ representing the continuous journey of learning, strength, and identity that Hei Tiki are known to carry. Carved from Raukaraka Pounamu, this piece is a striking golden-orange throughout due to…
Some boulders just call to me. I found this one on the beach and had a feeling it might hold something special inside. Each cut was a surprise—what looked like an ordinary rock on the outside revealed incredible colours within. Then, when I held it up to the light, it truly came alive. This is…
This 75mm Marsden Flower Jade Toki is a special piece, carrying deep meaning and connection. The stone features stunning yellow-gold flower patterns on a rich green Kawakawa base, making it visually striking. Thin and translucent, it allows light to shine through, highlighting its unique beauty. This Toki was commissioned by a father for his son….
This set of four Pikorua was carved from a single slice of Kawakawa Pounamu, creating a deep connection between each taonga and the whānau it was made for. These pendants are for a mother and her three daughters, each one unique but linked by the same source stone, just as they are linked by whakapapa….
This set of three Toki is called Tai Ora, meaning The Living Tides. It symbolises the constant movement of the ocean and the unbreakable connection between a father and his sons, no matter the distance. Each Toki is carved from the same piece of Pounamu, a physical representation of their bond. The waves carved into…
