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 serpentine Pounamu touchstone is a deep green with pale edges and a touch of orange. At 15cm long, it’s ideal as a display piece or a meaningful touchstone, symbolising connection to people and place.
A Pounamu touchstone, 12cm wide, polished on one side with its natural skin left on the back. Found on the West Coast near Hokitika.
This sterling silver ring features a hand-carved Kawakawa Pounamu cabochon with a natural line running through it, adding a unique sense of movement and depth. The tapered rectangular shape curves gracefully across the top, while the textured silver surface resembles the bark of a living tree — a reminder of growth, resilience, and connection to nature.
This sterling silver ring features a hand-carved oval cabochon of dark green Kawakawa Pounamu, set within an organic, flowing band. The silver ripples gently around the finger, with soft waves and rounded bead-like details near the stone — as if shaped by water itself. The contrast of smooth Pounamu and textured silver captures the energy and movement of nature in balance.
This 70mm Roimata is carved from striped grey Pakohe sourced from the Takaka area. Tapered at both ends, it reflects the natural flow of emotion and healing. Pakohe is a stone of strength, endurance, and connection to tūpuna, and this piece honours that legacy. It’s finished with a black spiral lashing and ready to wear.
This Tangiwai Pounamu taonga features a koru carved into its side, symbolising growth, renewal, and connection. The rare translucent greenstone glows when held to the light, making it a powerful reminder of transformation and potential.
This Tangiwai Pounamu Roimata is 10cm long, carved from deep dark green stone with a fine clear grain. The Roimata, or teardrop, symbolises healing, comfort, and connection, making it a meaningful taonga to wear close. When held to the light, the stone glows beautifully, revealing its depth. Finished with a black spiral lashing. I also have a matching piece available if you’d like a set of two.
This 65mm Roimata is carved from deep green Bowenite Pounamu sourced from the Tasman region. In low light it appears dark and solid, but when held to the sun it becomes highly translucent, revealing the inner structure of the stone. The Roimata form represents emotion, reflection, and release, while the clarity within symbolises insight that comes from within. Finished with a clean black spiral lashing, it hangs naturally when worn.
This 65mm Hei Matau, Te Ara Kaha (Path of Strength), is carved from beautifully translucent light green Pounamu with a deep green band running through it. The clean, flowing curves give it movement while keeping a simple, balanced form. The Hei Matau symbolises strength, safe passage, and the ability to provide and protect, making this a meaningful and steady taonga to wear.
Te Ara Rua means “the two paths.” This Kawakawa Pounamu pendant symbolises the strength to walk between contrast — holding firmness and compassion, experience and growth, without losing yourself. Set in sterling silver with corner claws and a spiral detail at the base, it carries a quiet but grounded presence.
Te Au Huri means “the turning current.” It speaks to movement, flow, and the natural cycles of growth and change in our lives. This 16mm oval cabochon is carved from Fuchsite, a shimmering green chromium-rich mica, and set with a sterling silver bail featuring spiral detailing. A silver spiral engraving on the back reinforces the meaning of steady movement and evolving strength.
This Tākiri Pounamu Mere represents strength, authority, and presence. Carved from Douglas Creek Pounamu, it measures 31cm long and 105mm wide, with finely tapered edges that allow light to pass through and reveal glowing green tones. The muka (harakeke fibre) cord adds a natural, traditional finish, and the piece is presented on a custom-fitted wooden base. A powerful and striking taonga designed for display and connection.
Te Koru Mārama means “The Enlightened Spiral,” reflecting the koru’s symbolism of growth and new beginnings, and the bright clarity of this Kahurangi Pounamu. This taonga is carved from a highly translucent stone, around 50mm high, with the koru carved into the front of a tumbled pebble. I tumbled the stone in my workshop to preserve its natural flowing curves before carving into it. When held to the light, the vivid green glows, highlighting the depth and life within the stone. It is ready to wear and is a one-of-a-kind piece.
Te Mārama Iti is the small but powerful light within a person. This 15mm Kahurangi Pounamu gem symbolises inner clarity, quiet strength, and the steady guidance we carry inside ourselves. Set in an open-backed sterling silver claw setting, its translucency allows light to pass through, reflecting the meaning it holds.
Te Niho Mārie is a small Niho Taniwha taonga carved from pale green Inanga Pounamu. The Niho Taniwha form symbolises courage, guardianship, and the strength to move through life’s challenges with calm determination. At 40mm long, this piece has a beautiful glow when held to the light and features the natural skin of the original cobble on the back. It is finished with a hidden suspension and a three-plait white honey cord lashing, leaving the form clean and uninterrupted.
Te Niho Tupuna is a powerful whānau taonga carved as a Niho Taniwha from deep green Kawakawa Pounamu. The stone has beautiful depth and weight, giving the piece a strong sense of presence and mana. Soft cloudy patterning moves through the pounamu, and the edges glow beautifully when held to the light.
The taonga measures 75mm long and features a hidden lashing point, allowing the cord to sit invisibly behind the piece so the front remains clean and uninterrupted.
