Turangawaewae

Pounamu is a connector, it connects us with the things in our lives that we value, often they are people or places. It can connect us with our Turangawaewae, our place that we connect most strongly with, our place to stand.

This set does both. Koru represent significant people in their life, the two pendants from the same source connect the the two that will wear these. The wave symbol further reinforces that connection as well as a link with ocean.

The process starts with a conversation, some sketching, and in this case some modeling clay. Then selecting the right piece of pounamu.

Then comes the shaping and smoothing as it comes into reality. Then polish and lashing to finish.

And then the finished product.

Hei Toki

Angitu Manawanui | A Toki Infused with Resilience

This toki, named Angitu Manawanui by its owner, is a beautiful piece imbued with deep meaning. Carved from Inanga pounamu featuring stunning Pīpīwharauroa chatoyancy, the pounamu itself originates from the Arahura River on the South Island of New Zealand. Measuring approximately 8cm in length, this toki is a powerful symbol of success achieved through unwavering…

Hei Toki | Koru

Toki me Koru

This pounamu is a cool combination of a toki and a koru It is made from gorgeous marsden flower jade – putiputi. The bottom edge of the toki hints at some colour and the back shows the full spectrum of the flower jade.

Hei Toki

Kawakawa Totoweka Toki

The Arahura River, carving its path through the heart of Te Waipounamu (the South Island), is a place of immense natural beauty and cultural significance. For generations, Maori carvers have sought pounamu (greenstone) from its waters, recognizing its strength and beauty as a material fit for taonga (treasure). This 5cm toki pendant, hand-carved from kawakawa…

Contemporary | Porohita

Akonga – Learning and Connecting

Individually each of these pendants is called Ako, together as a set they are called Akonga. This Pounamu (also Jade, often called greenstone) is all sourced from the South Island of New Zealand. Ako is to learn, study, instruct, teach, advise. Akonga usually means student, however, in this context it is used as ‘a collection of…

Hei Toki

7cm Totoweka Toki

The toki, or adze, is a traditional Maori tool that once played a vital role in the daily life of Maori communities. Carved from the revered greenstone, the toki now serves as a pendant, offering not only a visual connection to the past but also a symbolic representation of power, wisdom, and authority. The toki…

Contemporary | Roimata

Free Form Roimata Drop

This is a cool free form I carved on the fly for a friend. I followed the shape of the slice I had to end up with this. I made a video that covers the whole process from the start to the finish, so you could get a good idea of what went into making…

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