Te Takapū - National Stone & Bone Carving School
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At Te Takapū, students learn the revered tradition of carving pounamu (Nephrite-Jade/Greenstone), bone and stone.
The school opened on 5 October 2009, expanding on NZMACI’s commitment to maintaining, developing and promoting the arts, crafts and culture of iwi Māori (Māori tribes) as mandated by the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute Act (1963) (History).
The school was first led by Lewis Gardiner who is a well-regarded pounamu artist of his generation.
Stacy Gordine, a renowned artist from the East Coast of New Zealand – and uri of Hone Te Kauru and Pine Taiapa – now leads the programme and is shaping the direction of the wānanga into the future.
Would you like something custom made especially for you? Commission a piece here
Toki -7601IA
The toki pendent is based on the form of the carving chisel used in whakairo (Māori carving).
Material: Pounamu (Kotingotingo)
Measurements: 34mm x 19mm x 4mm
$250.00
Toki Earrings - 6243RH
Toki earrings (or drop earrings) are designed to suspend from the bottom of the earlobes. The length varies from a centimetre or two, all the way to brushing the wearer's shoulders.
Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)
Measurements: 75mm x 9mm x 4mm
$310.00
Kurupapa - 7603IA
Kurupapa are long slender pendants typically crafted from pounamu (NZ Jade) or bone. Customarily they were very popular personal adornments. Kurupapa are still commonly worn as pendants and earrings. As with most Māori personal adornments kurupapa are often passed down generationally.
Material: Onewa (Greywacke)
Measurements: 100mm x 19mm x 9mm
$600.00
Hei Tiki - 6177KH
Hei tiki are the best known of all Māori adornments. Tiki are symbols of fertility that depict a new-born child. They are often family heirlooms bearing personal names and embodying their wearers lineage. As with most Māori personal adornments, hei tiki are often passed down generationally.
Material: Onewa (Graywacke)
Measurements: 183mm x 101mm x 25mm
$3,500.00
Rei Puta - 5388KC
The mark of a high Chief was one who wore the Rei Puta (whale tooth pendant), as the teeth of the Sperm Whale were highly prized because of their rarity. With actual whale teeth being such a rarity, it became common to fashion the tooth form from other materials.
Material: Onewa Kaīaua (NZ Greywacke)
Measurements: 119mm x 33mm x 24mm
$765.00
Manu - 6300RH
This manu (bird) form is a variation of the kapeu which are slender adornments with a slight bend at the bottom and were often worn as ear pendants. This kapeu has been fashioned from pounamu (New Zealand Jade). Kapeu were highly prized and a sign of high rank in Māori society. They are commonly also worn as neck pendants.
Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)
Measurements: 90mm x 22mm x 10mm
$343.00
Mōtoi Toki - 6249RH
Toki earrings (or drop earrings) are designed to suspend from the bottom of the earlobes. The length varies from a centimetre or two, all the way to brushing the wearer's shoulders. The Toki is also a symbol of strength, leadership and courage.
Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)
Measurements: 74mm x 8mm x 5mm
$303.00
Mōtoi Toki - 6253RH
Toki earrings (or drop earrings) are designed to suspend from the bottom of the earlobes. The length varies from a centimetre or two, all the way to brushing the wearer's shoulders. The Toki is also a symbol of strength, leadership and courage.
Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)
Measurements: 16mm x 14mm x 5mm
$312.00
Kuru - 7202LT
Kurupapa are long slender pendants typically crafted from pounamu (NZ Jade) or bone. Customarily they were very popular personal adornments. Kurupapa are still commonly worn as pendants and earrings. As with most Māori personal adornments kurupapa are often passed down generationally.
Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)
Measurements: 140mm x 11mm
$484.00
Manu - 7308SF
This manu (bird) form is a variation of the kapeu which are slender adornments with a slight bend at the bottom and were often worn as ear pendants. This kapeu has been fashioned from pounamu (New Zealand Jade). Kapeu were highly prized and a sign of high rank in Māori society. They are commonly also worn as neck pendants.
Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)
Measurements: 120mm x 15mm x 8mm
$485.00
Kuru - 7153LA
Kurupapa are long slender pendants typically crafted from pounamu (NZ Jade) or bone. Customarily they were very popular personal adornments. Kurupapa are still commonly worn as pendants and earrings. As with most Māori personal adornments kurupapa are often passed down generationally.
Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)
Measurements: 77mm x 10mm
$375.00
Whakakaipiko - 7159LA
Whakakaipiko (Aupiko) forms were given as a symbol of endearment. Whakakaipiko are long and slender personal adornments characterised by a ‘piko’ or kink in the body of the pendant. Customarily they were used as a pin for fastening cloaks and may be made from bone, stone, wood or shell. Whakakaipiko are commonly worn as pendants.
Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)
Measurements: 92mm x 13mm
$471.00