Puna Hauora – A Celebration of Life and Connection

For a milestone 60th birthday, I was honoured to create a unique Pounamu carving set commissioned for a mother-in-law. This special set, named Puna Hauora, symbolises the Spring of Life she provides for her family—a source of nurturing, strength, and connection.

The centrepiece of the set is a 7cm-wide Porohita disc pendant. The Porohita, or circle, represents unity, wholeness, and the cycles of life. It features a bar lashing with a prominent feature hole at the top, giving it a bold and elegant presence.

What makes this piece especially meaningful is the series of enata symbols carved around the bottom edge. These symbols, inspired by Samoan tattooing practices, represent the important people in her life. The enata symbol is a traditional motif used to signify people, and its inclusion in this design honours her Samoan heritage while celebrating the connections that define her whānau.

The pendant is complemented by a pair of earrings, each 3cm long and featuring a double koru. The koru, symbolising growth and new beginnings, is paired to reflect the intertwined bonds of love and support shared within her family. The earrings, carved from the same slice of Kawakawa Pounamu, carry the same rich greens and swirling pale patterns as the pendant, uniting the set in beauty and significance.

The name Puna Hauora, meaning “Spring of Life,” was chosen to reflect her central role in the family. She is the source of vitality and care, fostering love, unity, and strength among those closest to her. This set embodies the deep respect and admiration her family holds for her, symbolising her unwavering support and the life she pours into her whānau.

This set honours both her Samoan heritage and her enduring love for her family. It is more than a gift—it is a heartfelt expression of gratitude, a tribute to her life’s journey, and a celebration of the relationships that define and enrich her.