Wairua Tahi – One Spirit

This exquisite pounamu set features three small toki pendants, each carved from the same bright green piece of pounamu. The set has been specially created to represent the connection between three members of a whanau, symbolizing the spiritual bond that ties them together.

For the whanau who received this pounamu set, it holds immense significance as a symbol of their interconnectedness and shared wairua/spiritual essence. Each toki pendant is for a member of the whanau, and the fact that they were carved from the same original piece of pounamu highlights their bond and connection to each other.

Pounamu is a type of nephrite jade that is formed deep within the earth’s crust. It is created under high pressure and temperature conditions. The formation of pounamu is the result of a metamorphic process that involves the intense compression of minerals such as serpentine, fuchsite, and tremolite, which are rich in magnesium and calcium.

The process of carving taonga such as this pounamu set is often shrouded in mystery, with the carver being the sole witness to the creative process. It is a rare privilege to know the original slice of pounamu from which these taonga were made and to catch a glimpse of the meticulous shaping and refining of the stone. Indeed, without such records, the artistry and skill involved in creating such a masterpiece could easily be forgotten. In this sense, the preservation of the story behind the creation of these pendants adds an extra layer of significance to an already precious and revered taonga.