Pounamu Blog

  • Kahurangi o te Manu

    Welcome to the serene artistry of Pounamu carving, where the celestial allure of Pipiwharauroa Inanga Pounamu takes the form of the ‘Kahurangi o te Manu’, an 8cm Roimata pendant that is as much a piece of jewelry as it is a narrative of Aotearoa’s soul. This treasured adornment mirrors the delicate beauty and resilience of…

  • 65mm Toki

    Discover the timeless allure of the toki, a symbol deeply rooted in Māori heritage. Our latest 65mm Pounamu pendant embodies the strength and artistry of this traditional tool. The toki, or adze, is not just a tool but a representation of skill and craftsmanship. Historically used for carving wood, it is a fitting emblem for…

  • 5cm Toki

    In the world of Pounamu carvings, each piece holds a narrative, a breath of the land it came from, and the hands that shaped it. Today, we explore a toki with a discreetly crafted hole for the necklace, a testament to both innovation and tradition. The toki, or adze, is a symbol of strength, control,…

  • Tohunga Ruku

    In the realm of Māori cultural symbols, the toki holds a place of reverence, traditionally symbolizing strength, skill, and authority. The ‘Tohunga Ruku Toki’ we unveil today is a remarkable embodiment of these attributes, with an added layer of meaning resonating with the ocean’s depth and mystery. Tohunga Ruku, or master diver, is a title…

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    Mana Taonga

    The art of Pounamu carving is a tradition steeped in the cultural heritage of Aotearoa (New Zealand), a practice that transforms raw greenstone into meaningful taonga (treasures). One such creation is the “Mana Taonga,” a toki (adze) that is more than a mere ornament; it is a symbol of strength, courage, and authority. The Mana…

  • Ruru

    Crafted from the rich, dark green stone native to New Zealand, this Pounamu pendant takes the shape of the Ruru, New Zealand’s native owl. The carving, with its smooth, curved lines, mirrors the Ruru’s natural silhouette. The pendant’s colour is a deep forest green with lighter green hues, resembling the shades of the New Zealand…

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    Ngākau Aroha

    The Ngākau Aroha set encapsulates the essence of affection and connection that is deeply rooted in the New Zealand Māori culture. From a single piece of kawa kawa Pounamu sourced from the Arahura River, these taonga – a three-centimeter heart and a five-centimeter circle with a double koru – are named to reflect the love…

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    Taonga Rua

    Carving, at its core, is an intimate act of transformation and storytelling. A recent visitor to our workshop brought in two unique stones she had unearthed while fossicking. These stones, carrying the whispers of the land, have now been shaped into pendants – not just ornaments, but symbols of connection and memory. The crafting of…

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    Huia Feather

    The huia, a now-extinct bird that was native to New Zealand, is remembered for its striking plumage and distinctive tail feathers. In Maori culture, the huia feather is a symbol of nobility, worn traditionally by high-ranking individuals. It is a physical representation of leadership and mana (prestige). Capturing this significance, an 11cm black jade carving…

  • 9cm Roimata Kawakawa

    Discover the enchanting beauty of the Roimata pendant, a treasure from the heart of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Crafted from Pounamu, also known as greenstone or New Zealand jade, this pendant is not just a piece of jewelry but a taonga, a cherished possession with deep cultural significance. The Roimata shape, characterized by its elongated form,…