This latest taonga is a Tapatoru, carved from Auhunga Pounamu—a stunning stone with pale whitish-green hues, accented by a touch of orange skin at its base. There is a quiet strength in this piece, not just in its design but in the way it carries weight, both physically and symbolically. It is made for someone…
This is a Pounamu Niho, carved from deep green Kawakawa Pounamu, 55mm long. The four-hole ringbolt lashing in black secures the piece, reinforcing its strength and durability. The Niho (tooth) shape carries deep meaning. It symbolises strength, leadership, and protection, much like the teeth of a great animal or guardian. Traditionally, the niho shape is…
This 9cm Roimata, carved from deep green Kawakawa Pounamu, represents healing, strength, and connection. The Roimata, or teardrop, is a form that carries deep meaning—symbolising the flow of emotions, remembrance, and resilience. It is often gifted as a token of support, acknowledging life’s challenges and the wisdom gained through experience. This piece holds extra significance…
This Niho is carved from Ōnewa (basalt) that I personally collected from Akaroa, a place shaped by fire and sea. The deep grey stone carries the history of the land, formed through volcanic forces over thousands of years. This connection to the whenua gives the piece a sense of grounding and endurance. The Niho design…
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…
