I’m Campbell Potter, a New Zealander of European descent living in Christchurch. I’ve spent the last ten years learning to carve Pounamu, alongside my work as a teacher. These days, I carve full time from my small workshop at home. I do everything myself—from finding and cutting the stone to shaping, polishing, lashing, and photographing each piece. For me, carving is about connection. Each taonga I make carries meaning, whether it’s a story, a memory, or something to anchor a moment in time. I create taonga to be worn, gifted, and passed on.
This 7cm Kapeu is carved from vibrant and translucent Kahurangi Pounamu, suspended on a hand-braided tan 4-cord necklace. Traditionally worn as an ear ornament, the Kapeu symbolises refinement, mana, and leadership. It can also carries quiet associations with motherhood, once used to soothe teething pēpi. A graceful and meaningful taonga, made to be worn close to the heart.
This 45mm cross, carved from vibrant Kahurangi Pounamu, symbolises unity and strength. Its translucent green tones represent hope, resilience, and connection.
6cm Kahurangi Pounamu Roimata featuring vibrant green translucency and a sleek design. Hand-lashed with a black cord, symbolising clarity, growth, and life’s journey.
The Niho Taniwha design symbolises strength, guardianship, and the courage to stand firm in the face of challenge. Worn as a taonga, it represents the protective presence of a taniwha — a powerful kaitiaki that watches over the wearer and their journey through life.
This piece is carved from beautiful Inanga Kōkopu Pounamu, measuring 55mm long and an impressive 20mm thick, giving it a strong and grounding presence. The stone has a creamy pale green base with distinctive kōkopu patterning across the surface. A hidden lashing point through the top allows the taonga to sit cleanly on the cord while maintaining the bold, solid form of the carving.
A one-off pair of earrings made from Kaitorete Spit quartzite, featuring white flowering patterns in purple-grey stone. 40mm long with flat and curved sides. This taonga holds the memory of a place where land meets sea, offering a quiet sense of balance and connection.
A one-off pair of earrings made from the centre of a beach pebble found at Kaitorete Spit. Cut to preserve the natural outline, they taper from narrow at the top to wider at the base. 55mm long, flat on both sides, with flowering white patterns in soft purple-grey quartzite. Holding the heart of the stone, these taonga speak to stillness, strength, and the quiet beauty held within.
This 55mm Toki is crafted from Whatuaho (Greywacke), sourced from Kaitorete Spit in Canterbury. Greywacke forms the bedrock of the Southern Alps, symbolising strength and resilience. The Toki represents courage, leadership, and the ability to shape one’s destiny, connecting you to the powerful heritage of Aotearoa.
This naturally tumbled Kawakawa Pounamu has taken the form of a small knife, complete with a handle-like shape. Measuring 60mm long, it’s not sharp or functional as a blade, but the form evokes purpose and intention. The rich green colouring of the stone comes through clearly, with some natural inclusions adding depth and character.
These matching Kawakawa Pounamu earrings have a graceful flowing shape with one straight edge and a gentle outward curve on the other. Around 65mm long (plus the hooks), they taper from the top to a softly pointed base with a subtle outward curve. The deep green stone shows beautiful translucency when held up to the light, revealing the natural character within the Pounamu.
A functional work of art — this guitar pick is carved from beautiful translucent Kawakawa Pounamu. It’s 30mm long, 25mm wide, and 4mm thick at its centre, tapering at the edges for comfortable playing. Designed to be used, this pick creates music through the touch of stone and string — a taonga that makes art through art.
A solid sterling silver ring set with a deep green Kawakawa Pounamu cabochon that I carved by hand. The band features a textured finish and a split design near the top, with a row of silver beads flowing across the surface. The contrast between the polished Pounamu and the raw silver texture gives this piece a timeless, natural character.
This 60mm Classic Kawakawa Pounamu Toki is carved from deep green stone with rich natural variation throughout. The traditional proportions and clean lines give it a strong, timeless presence. Finished with a black lashing and cord, it is ready to wear. The toki form symbolises strength, leadership, and determination, making it a meaningful everyday taonga.
This sterling silver ring features a dark green Kawakawa Pounamu cabochon with a flat, freeform top. The low profile makes it practical for everyday wear, while the hammered silver band adds texture and character. A strong, understated piece that carries the depth and mana of Pounamu in a clean, wearable design.
Hand-carved Niho pendant made from Kokopu Pounamu from the Arahura River, measuring 45mm. This unique piece symbolises strength, protection, and connection to the natural world of Aotearoa, featuring the distinctive speckled patterns of Kokopu Pounamu.
The Porohita represents unity, wholeness, and the cycles of life, symbolising deep connections to whānau, whakapapa, and the natural world. Carved from Kokopu Pounamu, this 60mm taonga embodies strength, resilience, and the enduring bonds that shape our lives.
Kōkopu Pounamu roimata earrings with 40mm pounamu drops and a total length of approximately 60mm. The roimata shape symbolises healing, aroha, and emotional strength. A meaningful and elegant pair of taonga earrings.
