Porohita Whakapapa – Pounamu Commission

This taonga was carved as a companion piece to a Hei Toki I had previously made for a father, gifted to him by his rugby team for his 50th birthday. When he got in touch again, it was because he wanted something equally meaningful for his daughter – a piece that spoke to who she is, where she comes from, and the connection they share.

You can read the story of his Hei Toki here: https://campbellcarving.co.nz/samoan-design-pounamu-toki/

For his daughter, he was clear that a koru felt right. The koru is a strong symbol of growth, new life, and potential, which suited where she is at in her journey. We talked as well about honouring her Pacific Islands heritage, particularly her Samoan whakapapa, and how that could be woven into the design in a way that felt balanced and respectful.

The final form is a porohita – a circle – which carries its own meaning of continuity, whānau, and things without beginning or end. On one side, I carved a koru, representing her growth and the path unfolding ahead of her. On the reverse, I carved three spearhead motifs, a pattern commonly found across the Pacific and central to Samoan visual language. These same spearheads appear on her father’s Hei Toki, creating a deliberate visual and symbolic link between the two taonga.

What makes this piece even more special is that it was carved from the same original stone as her father’s taonga. I still had a slice of that Pounamu, and being able to use it meant both pieces quite literally come from the same source. That shared material adds another layer of connection – between father and daughter, between their stories, and between the taonga themselves.

I’ve named this piece Porohita Whakapapa. The name speaks to the circle form and to the way this taonga holds family connection at its centre. Carving this alongside her father’s Hei Toki felt like completing a conversation that began with his 50th birthday gift – two taonga, one stone, and a shared story continuing forward.