Ngā Kaitiaki o te Aroha

This set of three taonga is among the most personal and moving pieces I’ve had the honour to create. Commissioned by a man who is facing the reality of terminal illness, these taonga were carved for the people he holds closest: his wife and two sons. Each piece comes from the same piece of Pounamu, linking them not only through their shared story but also through the stone itself – a lasting connection between them. Connection is central to this set. Through shared stone, shared meaning, and shared whakapapa, these taonga become anchors of relationship and memory. They are not just carvings – they represent the deep bonds that hold a family together, even through change and loss.

I’ve named this set Ngā Kaitiaki o te Aroha – The Guardians of Love. It speaks to the strength of the bonds between them, the love that lives on beyond time, and the way each taonga will carry and protect that connection.

For his wife, I carved a Koru. The koru symbolises new life, growth, and harmony – but in this case, it speaks even more deeply. It represents her spirit and strength through the most challenging times. He told me how she had stood beside him from the very first signs of illness, supporting him with unwavering care. This koru is a reflection of that love – a shape of compassion, of life held together through resilience, and of the deep connection they share. He said she was his saving grace. This taonga is a way to honour her, and to carry his love into the days to come.

For each of his sons, I carved a Manaia. The manaia is a guardian figure in te ao Māori – often said to have the head of a bird, the body of a man, and the tail of a fish, linking sky, land, and sea. It is a kaitiaki – a spiritual guardian, believed to ward off evil and protect the wearer. But it also carries the wairua of those who pass it on. These manaia are more than symbols – they are embodiments of a father’s enduring care. He wanted his boys to know that even after he is gone, he will be watching over them, guiding them, and protecting them. These taonga will carry that spirit.

All three taonga were carved from a single piece of Pounamu. That connection was important to him – a shared stone, a shared legacy, a way to always be with them.