Te Rongo o te Wai

I have named this taonga Te Rongo o te Wai, meaning the peace of the water. This name speaks to the calm and stillness that water can bring, and the role this piece is intended to play for its wearer. It was created as something to be held, turned over in the hands, and returned to in quiet moments — much like a worry stone or prayer bead. There is a strong connection to the ocean within this kaupapa, a reminder of a place deeply missed, and of the grounding and comfort that water provides. Before sending it on its journey, I bathed the finished taonga in a local stream near my whare, connecting it back to the wai of Aotearoa where it was carved.

Pounamu carries its own mauri, formed over time and shaped by the whenua. When it is carved into taonga, it becomes something more — a holder of meaning, memory, and connection. In this piece, that connection stretches across distance, from Aotearoa to Germany, linking the wearer back to the ocean, to place, and to a sense of calm within themselves.

This taonga takes the form of a small roimata, a shape often associated with emotion, reflection, and release. At 33mm long and around 9mm wide at the top, it has been kept intentionally small and delicate. The form is a rounded cylinder that gently tapers down to a soft but defined point, giving it a clear direction while maintaining a smooth and uninterrupted surface. This was important — the piece needed to feel consistent and complete in the hand, with nothing protruding or distracting from the experience of holding it.

It is carved from a beautiful piece of Marsden Flower Jade, or Putiputi Pounamu, selected for its light apple green tones and natural patterning. There was a careful balance in choosing the stone — aiming for the lightness that reflects the colour of the ocean, while still holding enough of the characteristic flower pattern that gives this type of Pounamu its identity. When held to the light, the stone reveals its depth and variation, adding another layer to the experience of the taonga.

A key feature of this piece was the requirement for the chain to be fully removable, allowing the taonga to be worn and also held independently. To achieve this, I drilled a fine hole through the stone and fitted a sterling silver sleeve inside it. This allows a chain to pass cleanly through while protecting the integrity of the Pounamu. Working at this scale required careful planning and precision, balancing strength with the need to keep the form small and refined. The silver sits flush within the stone, so when the piece is held in the hand, it remains smooth and uninterrupted.

I documented the making of this taonga from the initial selection of the stone, through shaping, sanding, and finishing, to give insight into the journey it has taken. From a rough piece of Pounamu to a finished taonga, each stage contributes to the meaning it now carries.

This piece is a reminder that taonga are not only worn — they are held, returned to, and connected with. Te Rongo o te Wai is about that quiet connection. A small, simple form carrying a sense of calm, and a lasting link to water, to place, and to self.