Taumutu, a small coastal settlement near Waihora, Lake Ellesmere, in New Zealand’s South Island, holds a rugged beauty shaped by the relentless sea. It was on this windswept beach that I discovered a beach pebble, a humble piece of ōnewa (greywacke) that whispered of hidden potential. With careful shaping and a respect for the stone’s…
Discover the captivating contrast and unique beauty of this 5cm toki pounamu pendant. Hand-carved to showcase the natural variations of pounamu, this piece blends the rich, deep green of kawakawa with a lighter, opaque green drawn from the stone’s outer rind. It’s a stunning tribute to the raw beauty of New Zealand’s precious stone. Kawakawa…
Discover the beauty and symbolism of the toki, a traditional Maori tool, in this exquisite hand-carved pounamu pendant. Measuring just 3.5cm high, this tiny toki is a masterpiece of detail and craftsmanship. The bright green pounamu shines, accented with distinct white and orange flower patterns that add a touch of unique beauty. A simple black…
Kia ora! I’m always excited about my carving projects, but a recent commission held a unique energy. A client entrusted me with a magnificent piece of brecciated jasper quartz that they’d found on their own land in the North Island. This wasn’t pounamu, but the stone’s raw beauty and its connection to their whenua (land)…
Here at Campbell Carving, I believe pounamu is more than just a beautiful stone; it’s a vessel for stories and a powerful symbol of connection. Today, I want to share a particularly heartwarming project – a family pounamu set crafted from a single piece of pounamu from the South Westland region. I called this Whānau…
At Campbell Carving, we’re constantly amazed by the natural wonders that come through our doors. Recently, a customer brought in a pounamu cobble they found on the beach. What appeared to be an unassuming stone held a hidden treasure trove of colour inside! This particular pounamu revealed stunning shades of green, ranging from deep emerald…
This striking breastplate pendant, named Manawa Riri (Heart of Courage or Fighting Spirit), is carved from a beautiful piece of light grey pakohe, sourced from the Nelson region. Pakohe, or argillite, is a fine-grained mudstone highly prized by Māori for its durability and ability to take a sharp edge. This name reflects the strength of…
The koru is a powerful symbol in Maori culture, representing growth, new beginnings, and the unfurling fern frond. It’s a fitting image for a taonga pounamu (treasured greenstone) carving, a piece imbued with deep meaning and cultural significance. This piece is called ‘Koru Whanau’. This particular koru whanau carving, crafted from Marsden Kawakawa pounamu, is…
Pounamu, the treasured greenstone of New Zealand, holds deep spiritual and cultural significance. When carved into a cross, a timeless symbol of faith and spirituality, its power and beauty take on an even greater depth. I’d like to share my latest creation, a beautiful cross pendant carved from a rich, deep block of kawakawa pounamu….
This is a very special set. When I heard this story and what they wanted my heart went out to them. The father has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. This set is primarily for them as a tangible representation of his love and enduring presence after he is gone. Named He Aroha Tonutanga, which…