I recently carved a special piece of Pounamu for a colleague at my kura who has stepped into a significant leadership position. His dedication, guidance, and coordination in the work we’ve shared has been outstanding. I wanted to acknowledge his efforts in a meaningful way, so I created a taonga that symbolises the weight of…
I recently completed a unique Pounamu Toki for a long-serving member of our school’s trust board, a man deeply connected to the outdoors and a steadfast supporter of both myself and our Outdoor Education programme. It was an honour to be asked to create this piece on behalf of the school to acknowledge his invaluable…
I recently had the privilege to carve two Pounamu crosses on commission, one measuring 4cm and the other 6cm, both crafted from vibrant green Nephrite Jade. These crosses hold deep personal significance for the recipient, symbolising strength, faith, and resilience. Creating crosses from Pounamu is a powerful experience. Pounamu, or New Zealand greenstone, is treasured…
This is a 40mm Porohita, which I’ve named Marama Awhi – meaning “Embrace of the Moon.” This piece is inspired by the peaceful beauty of the moon as it peeks through clouds, symbolising calm, balance, and connection with the natural world. Carved from deep green Pounamu, the stone has stunning pale green patches and swirling…
I recently completed a very special taonga for my wife – a 5cm long Roimata, crafted from Aroha Stone. This piece holds deep significance not only because of the stone but because of the connection it symbolises. The Aroha Stone I used features stunning shades of deep purples and pinks through to whites, capturing the…
This 7cm Niho Pounamu taonga holds a deeply personal story. It was commissioned by a husband for his wife, who is courageously undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. He sent me several large Pounamu cobbles, and from these, we carefully selected a rich, deep forest green stone with gorgeous light patterning. The color and patterns in…
I have just completed a special commission for a 45mm disc (porohita) with a koru carved into the front. This piece was crafted from bright green, highly translucent Kahurangi Pounamu, a stone that embodies clarity and vitality. The vivid green hues and translucency of the stone give it a sense of depth and life, making…
I recently completed a commission for a 6cm cross carved from Kawakawa Pounamu. Kawakawa Pounamu is known for its deep green hues and rich, natural patterns that carry a sense of connection to the land and history of Aotearoa. The cross shape holds significant meaning for many, symbolising faith, strength, and guidance. It’s a shape…
I recently completed Toki Whakatipu, an 8cm-long commission carved from deep green Kawakawa Pounamu, as a gift for a couple getting married. This piece is a companion to the Mātau Whakatipu, which I created earlier as a symbol of growth and new beginnings. Together, these taonga form a meaningful set, each complementing the other in…
I is a special commission where I had the honour of working with a block of Pounamu passed down through a family for generations. The client felt it was time to transform this cherished stone into something their whānau could wear and treasure. From this pale green Inanga Pounamu, with its stunning black mineral inclusions,…