Te Kaieke means the rider, the one who moves forward with purpose and holds fast through challenge. I chose this name because the niho shape symbolises strength, determination, and guidance. It is often connected with the idea of a protector or guardian, something that carries a person through the hard moments in life. This taonga…
Te Rere o te Peka speaks to movement, balance, and the way we adjust our path when guided by instinct and awareness. The name reflects the nature of the pekapeka form itself, shaped by dual perspectives and the quiet strength that comes from being able to see the world from more than one direction. This…
This Roimata was carved to complete a set. The owner already had a pair of earrings carved in the same design, each with a koru cut from the sides and three notches at the base. Those notches represent the past, present, and future — the journey of life and the growth that continues through it….
Te Ika Aroha, meaning The Fish of Love, carries a name that reflects care, guardianship, and deep connection. This Manaia was carved from a very special piece of Pounamu brought to me by its owner. It already held great personal significance, and my task was to shape it into something that honoured that connection while…
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…
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