Trace my Pounamu
Your carving P100K3MS is certified New Zealand Pounamu
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu guarantees that your piece is carved from genuine Ngāi Tahu Pounamu
Manaaki Whenua
Manaaki Tangata
Haere Whakamua
Love, admire, cherish and care for the land and our environment
Love, admire, cherish and care for the people
Go forward and prosper into the future
Strength and Courage: This Toki (Adze) is for those who shape their own destiny. The koru symbolizes new growth and the connection between the people and the land.
Renowned for its beauty and strength, the rare Pounamu stone is highly valued by both Māori and greater New Zealand. No two pieces are the same and every piece is treated with respect during the carving process.
Pounamu is regarded as a Taonga by Māori, many of whom have a strong spiritual connection to the stone. They wear it with a sense of pride and they believe it bestows strength upon them.
For hundreds of years, it has been imbued with legend and stories, and in many families, treasured pieces have been passed down through several generations.
This YHA carving has been specifically designed and crafted to have its own special additional meaning.
These Taonga are unique to YHA because of the authenticity and special meaning each Taonga carries.
Your Taonga represents a connection between people, to Aotearoa (New Zealand), Taiao (the Environment) and Whetū Mārama (our Planet). Tīhei Mauri Ora
Your Toki
All Pounamu is sacred and highly valued by Ngāi Tahu, the most southern tribe of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Carving this sacred stone has been a cornerstone of our culture for hundreds of years and we are honoured that you have chosen to adorn yourself with this most sacred gift.
Traditionally a carving tool and weapon and, as a taonga representing strength, determination and courage.
Your Artisan
Andrew McGregor
Tēnā koutou katoa
Ko Tākitimu te Maunga
Ko Waiau te Awa
Ko Tākitimu te Waka
Ko Ngāi Tahu te Iwi
Ko Andrew McGregor ahau
"For me carving Pounamu is a continual journey that has led me to discover much about my heritage and homeland, and a profound respect for this beautiful stone which is as hard as steel."
I am a Pounamu carver and Artist of part Ngāi Tahu Descent, originally from the West Coast of the South Island now living in Christchurch. After learning how to carve in 2005 and earning a Certificate in Jade and hard stone carving, I was offered a job as a full time Jade carver at a large carving studio where I worked for around three years.
Since then I have built up my own workshop and carve a wide range of jewelry designs and sculptural pieces. I am massively inspired by ancient cultures and their art forms, primarily Māori, Celtic, Viking but also Asian and Mesoamercian.
Carving Pounamu is an ongoing journey for me and i am always learning and growing.
If you would like to see more of my work it can be seen on Instagram, @carvedinjade ,and I can be reached via email at : Concealed for privacy - please enable Javascript
Ngā mihi nui, Andrew McGregor
Your Rawstone
Stone Reference:S10095TK
Size:55x245x60
Type:Kawakawa
Weight:19.400
Origin:Tai Poutini ki te Raki
Rūnanga:Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
Kawakawa
This rawstone is Kawakawa, the darkest and strongest form of Pounamu. Its colour ranges from a medium green to a dark forest green, and is not typically translucent. It is named for the native kawakawa plant which traditionally used for its culinary and medicinal properties.
Endless combinations of Pounamu types occur, and no two pieces are the same guaranteeing that your Pounamu is unique.
Your Origin
Tai Poutini ki te Raki
Your stone was sourced from the rivers of Tai Poutini ki te Raki, the northern region of the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. This area covers the rugged land just north of the Franz Josef glacier, up through the Westland towns of Hokitika and Greymouth.
This stone is a taonga (treasure) to Ngāi Tahu, and in particular the peoples of Te Tai o Poutini, the West Coast of the South Island where most pounamu is found and carved.
The stone began it’s journey here millions of years ago, the mountains of the Te Waipounamu forming in this time and, in doing so, pushing the narrow bands of earth containing Pounamu up to the surface. From here the action of rivers and glaciers released the stone from its host rock into screes, river gravel and glacial deposits.
This stone is now yours to protect, to treasure and, eventually, to pass on to the next generation.