Te Here Pikorua

Te Here Pikorua translates roughly to “the binding double twist.” The name refers to the way relationships, cultures, and whakapapa are bound together through the lives of a whānau. The pikorua form symbolises two pathways that remain connected, even as they move and grow over time.

This taonga is a double twisted pikorua form carved from the same piece of Pounamu as two earlier pieces I created for this whānau. Those earlier carvings were made for the father and daughter. This piece completes the set and was carved for the mother, bringing the story of this stone full circle.

The design carries a strong sense of whakapapa and connection across the family. The twisting form symbolises the intertwining journeys of the whānau, showing how their lives remain connected even as each person walks their own path.

Along one side of the taonga a series of spearheads curve down around the edge and base. These elements reference Pasifika cultural motifs that were important to the family and were also present in the earlier pieces I carved for them. The spearheads symbolise strength, protection, and the determination to move forward through life’s challenges.

By combining these forms with the flowing lines of the pikorua shape, the carving brings together Māori and Pasifika visual language. It reflects the shared heritage and identity of the family while remaining grounded in the traditions of Pounamu carving here in Aotearoa.

The stone itself carries the same patterning as the earlier pieces, reinforcing the physical and symbolic link between each member of the family. Knowing that all three taonga come from the same piece of Pounamu adds another layer of meaning, representing how the family is formed from the same source yet expressed in different ways.

You can see the earlier pieces from this family commission here:

https://campbellcarving.co.nz/pounamu-porohita-koru-whakapapa/ https://campbellcarving.co.nz/samoan-design-pounamu-toki/

Carving pieces like this is always special. Being trusted to continue a story through multiple taonga for the same whānau is a privilege, and it is rewarding to see how each piece grows the narrative of the stone and the people who will carry it.