Manawa Hononga

This 50mm Manawa was carved as a companion piece, created from the very same stone as a recent whānau commission — the Te Whatu Whānau set (https://campbellcarving.co.nz/te-whatu-whanau-whanau-pounamu-set/). After the original taonga went home, the sister of the mum reached out. She had seen the heart carved for her sister and felt the pull to carry that same connection herself. So this Manawa was born — cut from the same Pounamu, shaped from the same source, holding the same story.

The Manawa, or heart, symbolises love, life force, and deep connection. It represents the emotional centre of who we are. In this case, it speaks directly to whānau ties — to sisters who have shared a lifetime of memories, challenges, laughter, and support. By carving this piece from the same stone, the connection is not just symbolic. It is physical. The Pounamu itself binds them.

The stone carries rich green tones with natural variation running through it, giving depth and character. When worn, the Manawa sits close to the wearer’s own heart, reinforcing that sense of unity and shared whakapapa. The curves are simple and strong, allowing the natural beauty of the Pounamu to speak for itself.

What I appreciate most about this piece is the way it extends a story. The original whānau set was about connection within one immediate family. This Manawa widens that circle. It acknowledges that love and belonging stretch beyond a single household — that sisters remain linked no matter where life takes them.

Carving this was a reminder that Pounamu has a way of drawing people back together. One stone. Multiple taonga. One shared foundation.