Aroha Stone Waterfall Toki

Description

This 65mm Toki, carved by Paul Berry from Aroha Stone gathered near Haast in Southland, is a bold and flowing taonga full of energy and visual contrast. Shaped with a large curved front in the style of a stylised waterfall and finished with a hollow-ground riverbed rear, the form creates a strong sense of movement, as if the stone itself is in motion.

Aroha Stone is known for its striking pink, violet, and white marbling. This piece in particular features a geometric triangular contrast throughout the face of the stone—sharp edges softened by the flow of the form. The colours appear like water passing over stone: flowing, shifting, and alive.

The Toki traditionally symbolises strength, determination, and the ability to endure and overcome. In this piece, that symbolism is magnified by the waterfall shape—a metaphor for powerful movement that is grounded in grace. The hollow-ground rear further connects this taonga to the landscape, shaped like the beds of rivers that carve their way through the land with persistence and beauty.

Size: 65mm

Material: Aroha Stone

Location: Haast

Carver: Paul Berry