Sand in my Toes Salt in my Nose – Set

The ruru, or morepork, holds a special place in the heart of Aotearoa’s natural world. As a nocturnal guardian, it embodies wisdom, intuition, and the mysteries of the night. This small but powerful bird is often associated with protection, guidance, and the ability to see through darkness – qualities embodied in the Māori concept of…

There’s something captivating about a Mobius form — the way it twists back on itself, creating a single, unbroken surface that has no true beginning or end. It’s a simple shape that feels like a riddle made real: what appears to have an inside and an outside is, in truth, one continuous path. I carved…

This taonga is a large Hoe Waka, carved to represent leadership, guidance, and responsibility. I have named it Te Hoe Whakaruruhau – the paddle of shelter and protection – symbolising the role of the kaiurungi, the steerer of the waka, who must guide their people with wisdom while safeguarding those they serve. In this case,…