Pounamu - Jade

The interior walls of the whare whakairo (carved meeting house) are adorned with carvings called poupou. Each poupou in a meeting house connects to a common ancestor, after whom the house was named. Spaced evenly along the inside walls, each poupou supported a rafter panel which extended from the main central ridge, reinforcing the importance of whakapapa (genealogy) to the living generations.

Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)

Measurements: 112mm x 68mm

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: Pounamu (Kawakawa)

Measurements: 95mm x 40mm x 16mm

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: Wheua (Cattle Bone) Measurements: 41mm x 23mm

Material: Pounamu (Kotingotingo)

Measurements: 65mm x 18mm x 8mm

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: Pounamu (Tokatea)

Measurements: 80mm x 48mm x 8mm

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: Parāoa (Whale Bone)

Measurements: 73mm x 43mm

Traditionally women who acquired moko kauae (female chin tattoos) received them based on their mana, established through their whakapapa. They were nominated by the hapū to ensure there was a woman of mana to represent them on the marae.

Material: Parāoa (Whale Bone)

Measurements: 49mm x57mm

Traditionally women who acquired moko kauae (female chin tattoos) received them based on their mana, established through their whakapapa. They were nominated by the hapū to ensure there was a woman of mana to represent them on the marae.

Material: Parāoa (Whale Bone)

Measurements: 50m x 55mm

Kapeu are slender adornments with a slight bend at the bottom and were often worn as ear pendants. Kapeu were highly prized and a sign of high rank in Māori society. They are commonly also worn as neck pendants. As with many Māori personal adornments kapeu are often passed down generationally.

Material: Koiwi (Cattle bone)

Measurements: 103mm x 12mm

Shark teeth were highly sought after to wear as a symbol of prestige for personal adornment. They were reflective of the mana of the shark itself.

Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)

Measurements: 12mm x 25mm x 6mm

The toki pendent is based on the form of the carving chisel used in whakairo (Māori carving).

Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)

Measurements: 52mm x 40mm x 7mm

The toki pendent is based on the form of the carving chisel used in whakairo (Māori carving).

Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)

Measurements: 78mm x 35mm x 8mm