Tū Kotahi | Standing Together
The phrase “Tū Kotahi” in Māori means “standing together as one”. It’s the perfect name for the special set of toki I recently had the privilege to carve for a father and son in France. The toki is a traditional Māori taonga (treasure) pendant, shaped like an adze, a woodworking tool important in our culture. These toki symbolize strength, authority, and determination – often worn to remember our ancestors and our connection to our heritage.
The toki in this Tū Kotahi set were made from a beautiful piece of bright green hapopo pounamu (New Zealand jade). The larger toki, a massive 10 cm long and 5 cm at the base, represents the father. The smaller one, about half that size, is for his son. Both pieces have darker inclusions, giving the pounamu a unique character.
My goal with this commission was to express the special bond of Tū Kotahi – standing together – between a father and son. Carving both toki from the same piece of pounamu creates a permanent link between them, reflecting their familial connection. The larger toki embodies the strength and guidance of the father, while the smaller toki represents the potential and promise of the son.
In the video embedded below, you can see the process of me carving these Tū Kotahi toki. It begins with carefully selecting a piece of pounamu that resonates for this project. I use a variety of carving techniques to shape the toki – a slow and careful process, but deeply rewarding.
I am honored to have carved these Tū Kotahi toki – a set that embodies strength, legacy, and the unbreakable bond between a father and son.
