At the Inside Pounamu wānanga at Otago University, I had the chance to take part in a scientific and cultural exploration of how heat affects pounamu. I began with a single slab of South Westland pounamu and cut it in half. One half was left in its natural state, while the other was carefully heat-treated….
E mihi ana ki a koe, nɑ̄ tou whakaako, nā tou kōrero, nā tou waiata hoki. E tangata motuhake koe ki a tātou. E mihi ana ki tou tautoko ki a mātou i ngā wā katoa. Ka wairua kaha mātou nā tou aro. Tēnā koe e hoa. This Hei Tiki was carved as a gift…
This taonga is a Niho, carved from fossilised wood found in Southland. The stone began its life as wood millions of years ago, slowly transformed through time and immense pressure into stone. That transformation holds deep meaning — it speaks of endurance, patience, and the strength that comes from change. The fossilised wood is rich…
This piece is named Kotahitanga, meaning unity and oneness. The Porohita, or circle form, symbolises the cycles of life — connection, balance, and the unbroken flow between people, generations, and the natural world. It represents completeness, a reminder that everything is part of a greater whole. On the front, a single Koru flows across the…
This piece is named Aroaro, meaning presence — the essence of being seen, known, and protected. The Kōuma form, shaped like a breastplate, symbolises strength and nurturing. It rests close to the heart, representing inner resilience and the warmth of connection. Traditionally, a Kōuma offers protection and grounding, a reminder of ancestral strength and the…
This piece is named Awa Rua, meaning two rivers. It symbolises connection — two paths that begin together and then flow in their own directions, always remaining linked by their source. The form of the Hoe, a waka paddle, carries the energy of movement and purpose, guiding us forward through life. Carved into it is…
There’s something captivating about a Mobius form — the way it twists back on itself, creating a single, unbroken surface that has no true beginning or end. It’s a simple shape that feels like a riddle made real: what appears to have an inside and an outside is, in truth, one continuous path. I carved…
The Pikorua symbolises the way our lives interweave — paths that cross, separate, and reconnect. Whether between friends, whānau, or loved ones, it reminds us that distance or time may shift us apart, yet our bonds remain. We travel our own ways, but our journeys are never truly separate; they loop and return, bound by…
This kōuma, a breastplate carved from stunning Marsden Flower Jade, holds both beauty and deep personal significance. Measuring around 70mm across, it carries the rich translucent greens that Marsden stone is famed for, and more than half the surface blooms with golden and white inclusions — a flowering that makes this stone truly unique. The…
Matau Tiaki translates to the protective hook. The Hei Matau carries the mana of Tangaroa, symbolising strength, safe passage across water, and prosperity. For this young man, it represents guardianship, resilience, and the courage to face life’s challenges. The name highlights the hook as a kaitiaki — a protector who journeys alongside him. Carved from…
