Pounamu Blog

  • | |

    Toki and Earrings

    Creating a meaningful connection with the essence of Aotearoa through art and taonga is a journey well represented by this exquisite set of Pounamu toki and earrings. Each piece holds a story, a spirit, and a cultural significance that transcends its physical beauty. The toki, measuring about 5cm, is a traditional Maori carving shape that…

  • 7cm Totoweka Toki

    The toki, or adze, is a traditional Maori tool that once played a vital role in the daily life of Maori communities. Carved from the revered greenstone, the toki now serves as a pendant, offering not only a visual connection to the past but also a symbolic representation of power, wisdom, and authority. The toki…

  • 8cm Toki

    In the realm of Pounamu, each piece is not just a work of art but a narrative sculpted into stone, carrying the whispers of Aotearoa’s majestic landscape and the cultural legacy of its people. Today, we delve into the story behind a Toki pendant, a masterpiece crafted from the revered Pounamu. The carving process is…

  • | |

    Whānau Tūhono

    In the hands of a carver, Pounamu is transformed into more than just an adornment; it becomes a narrative etched in stone, a tangible representation of family bonds and shared stories. This narrative is told through the ‘Whānau Tūhono’ set, a collection of Pounamu pendants specially carved for a family, embodying their unity and individual…

  • Akaroa Niho

    In the realm of wearable art, the power and beauty of simplicity often speak volumes. The Niho pendant, carved from the Akaroa Harbour’s basalt, is a testament to this timeless truth. In this piece, we explore a pendant that is not only a stunning accessory but also a bearer of profound cultural significance and a…

  • |

    Rangatira Kura

    In the heart of Aotearoa, amidst the lush landscapes of Te Wai Pounamu – the South Island, a remarkable stone whispers the stories of the land. Pounamu, New Zealand’s treasured greenstone, has found its form in a stunning set of niho (tooth) pendants, carved by the hands of Campbell from Campbell Carving. Each piece, hailing…

  • |

    Arohanui – Much Love

    This set of koru pendants, named ‘Arohanui,’ captures a son’s love for his mother. Each koru, from the same piece of hapopo pounamu, signifies their life-long bond. The koru represents new beginnings, peace, and personal growth. This set, when joined, forms a mutual embrace, showing a shared journey of a mother and son. The pendants…

  • | |

    Te Hononga Pūmau

    This pair of Pounamu pendants, named Te Hononga Pūmau, is a tribute to family and shared paths. They’re each 7cm, a toki for strength, a roimata for comfort, carved from the same stone. This isn’t just about wearing art. It’s about carrying a piece of a collective soul, bound by three curved lines that tell…

  • |

    Whānau Mauri

    Whānau Mauri, a toki of profound connection and essence, carved from the rare totoweka kawakawa pounamu, sourced from the Arahura River. This 5cm pendant is more than a piece of jewellery; it’s a tangible manifestation of the life force and unity that binds a family together. In the Māori language, “whānau” signifies family—a collective of…

  • Waiora Whānau

    There is a profound narrative captured within the contours of a Pounamu toki, one that speaks to the heart of Aotearoa’s cultural heritage and the land’s natural beauty. Today, we introduce ‘Waiora Whānau,’ a name that embodies the vitality and community represented by a specially crafted 6 cm toki made from kawa kawa pounamu. This…