Kōuma – Aroaro

This piece is named Aroaro, meaning presence — the essence of being seen, known, and protected. The Kōuma form, shaped like a breastplate, symbolises strength and nurturing. It rests close to the heart, representing inner resilience and the warmth of connection. Traditionally, a Kōuma offers protection and grounding, a reminder of ancestral strength and the mana we carry within.

For the woman who commissioned this taonga, the Kōuma shape immediately resonated. She felt its calm and protective nature, drawn to how it sits close, both physically and spiritually. The ringbolt lashing across the top spoke to her too — a feature she felt added both strength and beauty.

Carved from Serpentine Pounamu, this piece holds deep and shifting tones — dark greens and blacks that flow through the stone, with a band of pale, almost glowing green running down the centre. That soft bloom of colour gives the taonga a gentle balance between strength and softness. It’s 45mm wide, lashed with a black cord using a three-braid design and a ringbolt lashing. Together we decided on a toggle fastening to ensure it sits comfortably and securely at just the right length.

Creating Aroaro was a thoughtful and grounding process. The stone’s contrast between dark and light mirrored the kaupapa — strength held with compassion, protection carried with openness. It’s a taonga that feels deeply personal, both protective and empowering.