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.
Kōkopu Pounamu roimata earrings with 30mm pounamu drops and a total length of approximately 50mm. The roimata shape symbolises reflection, renewal, and letting go. A lighter, understated pair of meaningful taonga earrings.
Good instinct — if you’re using the word to express the idea of branching or flowing movement, a stronger Māori word is kōriporipo, which refers to rippling or flowing movement (often used for water). It fits the visual effect of the stone really well.
Koropepe Mātauranga is 50mm across and 8mm thick, carved from deep forest-green serpentine with darker veins. Its koru flows into the head of a tuna, with a pāua shell eye. This taonga symbolises wisdom, growth, and the resilience to navigate life’s journey.
This Kōuma breastplate is carved from stunning dark green Marsden Flower Jade with golden highlights rippling through the stone. At 90mm wide and 65mm high, it has strong proportions and visual depth. The Kōuma rests close to the heart and symbolises inner strength, protection, and a connection to whakapapa. It draws on the form of a breastplate, representing both physical and emotional resilience. A deeply meaningful taonga made to be worn with pride.
A handcrafted Kōuma breastplate carved from Kokopu Pounamu, symbolising strength and protection. Featuring a white ringbolt lashing and a four-braid cord.
A kōuma breastplate carved from Inanga Pounamu with rare oxidised rind colouring in warm orange and pale green tones. Bound with a five-hole black ring bolt lashing, this piece symbolises protection, inner strength, and resilience.
Carved from dark grey ōnewa (basalt) sourced from the Banks Peninsula area, this 100mm taonga follows the natural shape of the stone to form a striking mako-inspired design. A pāua eye has been set into the head, with the snout pointing downward and a fin emerging from the side of the piece. The stone has a deep, powerful presence and is suspended on a black cord with a three-hole ringbolt lashing. Basalt was traditionally used by Māori to create tools and weapons due to its strength and fine grain.
Manaia Aroha is a 75mm pendant carved from Inanga Pounamu. It carries pale green tones with darker depths and a subtle yellow-orange edge from the grind. Finished with Paua eyes and a black cord, it symbolises love, protection, and spiritual balance.
This striking Kawakawa Pounamu silver ring features a smooth triangular (tapatoru) cabochon carved by hand and set in sterling silver. The stone is 16mm wide with rich green depth. The silver setting was custom designed by M.V.H Jewellery using the ancient lost wax casting method. Three organic silver claws hold the stone in place, weaving around it like flowing vines. A unique and powerful taonga.
This 50mm Roimata is carved from serpentine sourced from the Tasman area, a stone full of contrast and depth. The dark, deep greens are broken by pale green mottling and small traces of oxidised orange rind, giving the piece strong character and presence. Shaped with a firm, almost toki-like edge at the base, this Roimata carries a sense of strength and steadiness. Finished with a black Roimata lashing, it is a grounded and resilient taonga.
This captivating rectangle pendant is a beautiful example of pounamu carving. The translucent green stone is imbued with deep meaning and modern elegance. The rectangle form symbolizes solidity, consistency, and discipline.
Manu Huia is a carved huia feather made from dark green serpentine from the Nelson–Tasman area. It has an opaque white rind naturally forming the pale feather tip, creating a striking contrast. The stone appears almost black until held to the light, where its translucency reveals the depth and patterning within. This taonga symbolises dignity, respect, and the carrying of legacy, echoing the mana of the original huia feather. It is 95mm long and finished with a black lashing.
This crescent moon Pounamu taonga represents Marama, symbolising cycles, renewal, and guidance through change. Carved from mid forest green Pounamu with darker patterning, it is 45mm long and quietly grounded in form and meaning.
Māramatanga is a roimata made from highly translucent Kahurangi Pounamu. The name Māramatanga means clarity, understanding, and illumination, chosen to reflect how easily light passes through the stone, revealing its inner depth. This piece was shaped through tumbling in my workshop, giving the surface a natural texture and strong character, and is finished with a simple black lashing.
These earrings are carved from bright green Marsden Flower Jade, known for its vivid colour and striking translucency. Shaped into wide crescent moons, each 35mm long (excluding the hooks), they glow with light and life. A unique, one-of-a-kind pair that connects the beauty of Pounamu with the elegance of celestial design.
These 70mm Marsden Flower Jade Pounamu earrings are carved from deep dark green stone with beautiful flower-like inclusions appearing near the base. The design tapers toward the top with four subtle flat sides and softly rounded edges, finishing in a smooth curved base. The natural Putiputi patterning gives each earring unique character and depth.
