Toki Mārama – A Toki of Strength and Clarity

I have named this taonga Toki Mārama. Mārama can refer to light, clarity and understanding, making it a fitting name for both the remarkable pounamu and the meaning carried by the toki. Its translucent apple-green colour allows light to pass deeply through the stone, while pale gold flowering across one face creates a striking contrast.

This was a commission I worked closely on with the customer. This particular piece of pounamu stood out to them from the beginning. It is among the most translucent pounamu I have worked with, and its combination of soft green and golden flowering gives the finished taonga a distinctive character.

The toki is approximately 60mm long and 40mm wide. Its form was influenced by older toki artefacts, with a broad body and a recurved leading edge. This curve gives the piece a strong profile while retaining a clear connection to traditional toki forms.

The toki represents strength, courage, determination and leadership. Traditionally used as an important working tool, it reflects the ability to apply skill and persistence to shape a path forward. Its broad, solid form gives this particular toki a strong physical presence, while the clarity of the stone adds the ideas of insight and purpose.

When it came time to lash the toki, we felt that a traditional lashing would cover too much of this exceptional pounamu. Instead, I used a minimal two-point suspension made from tan and black 4 braid cord. The two separate attachment points from one hole hold the toki securely and prevent it from spinning, allowing it to remain facing the way the wearer chooses.

Toki Mārama is a strong and practical form carved from an extraordinary piece of pounamu. I enjoyed working closely with the customer to find a design and suspension that allowed the natural qualities of the stone to remain fully visible.