He Toki Whakapumau — A Statement Pair for Two Siblings

These two taonga were carved as a matched pair, created to honour a brother and sister and the strength of their bond. Their parents wanted each toki to reflect who their children are, what they stand for, and the work they do in the world. The kaupapa that guided this set was whakapumau — enduring commitment — supported by themes of tūrangawaewae, personal strength, whānau, connection, and growth.

Both taonga share the same slice of Douglas Creek Serpentine Pounamu, giving them a tangible link to each other, their whenua, and their whakapapa. On the back of each toki is a koru, symbolising new beginnings and as they both move forward in their lives and careers. The lashing design also carries meaning. There are four holes at the top of each piece — two smaller ones in the middle and two larger ones on the outside. The smaller centre holes represent the siblings themselves. This is where the binding runs, emphasising their role in supporting one another as equals of the same generation. The larger holes on the sides symbolise their parents and tūpuna, always present, steady and supportive from the background.

Each toki carries its own unique expression of this kaupapa.

Tū Pakari speaks to standing firm and strong. This toki holds the structural language of the brother’s trade as a bridge builder. The lines carved into the front symbolise the basic components of bridge engineering — the surface, the supporting beam that runs beneath, and the pillar that everything rests upon. These elements reflect not only his craft but also the way he stands as a pillar in his own life: steady, measured, and dependable.

The toki shape aligns with skill, perseverance, and leadership. Through this design, his parents wanted to acknowledge both the physical structures he creates and the personal structure he brings to their whānau — someone who works with focus and purpose, someone who builds connections.

Mātauranga Tū Waiwhenua represents knowledge formed where water and land meet. With high university scholastic achievement specialising in groundwater, her mahi centres on understanding the hidden movement of wai beneath the whenua and the systems it sustains. The tuna carved into the front of the toki acknowledges this work, symbolising resilience, adaptation, and deep knowledge of unseen pathways.

The toki itself reflects her hard work and diligence, both in her scientific career and in the voluntary mahi she has carried out in service of people across Aotearoa New Zealand, work that has been widely recognised. Tū Waiwhenua acknowledges a person who applies her mātauranga with purpose, grounded in care for the environment and for others.

Both Tū Pakari and Tū Waiwhenua are carved from Takiri — a beautiful Douglas Creek Serpentine Pounamu known for its deep greens and natural movement through the stone. At 80mm long, each piece has presence and clarity. The shared material reinforces that while these siblings walk their own paths, they remain connected by whānau, whenua, and purpose.

Carving these two taonga together felt meaningful. They were designed as statement pieces to whakamana these two people — to give them something that reflects their work, their character, and the strength they offer each other. Being able to shape their stories into Pounamu was an honour. This set stands as a testament to who they are now, and who they are still becoming.