Tapatoru – My Daughter’s Journey into Carving

This Tapatoru is something special. My daughter carved it, from selecting the stone to shaping, sanding, and polishing—doing as much of the work as she could. My role was simply to guide her when needed, but this piece is hers, through and through.

The triangular Tapatoru shape is a strong and balanced form, often symbolising unity, direction, and personal growth. The Pounamu she chose is stunning, with warm golden tones and intricate veins of darker green running through it—patterns that tell a story of time and transformation.

Seeing her work through each stage of the process, learning with her hands and developing an understanding of the stone, was incredible. Before long, she won’t need my help—she’ll be creating these entirely on her own, and I can’t wait to see what she carves next.