Te Takapū - National Stone & Bone Carving School
Select Subcategory
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 Earrings - 6223RH
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: 68mm x 15mm x 2mm
$390.00
Toki Earrings - 6229RH
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: 71mm x 15mm x 2mm
$390.00
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
Hei Tiki - 6205MA
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 (Putiputi)
Measurements: 90mm x 50mm x 12mm
$3,200.00
Hei Tiki - 6206MA
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 (Waikohatu) & Mother of Pear Inlays
Measurements: 93mm x 55mm x 18mm
$2,900.00
Hei Tiki - 6215MA
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 (Putiputi)
Measurements: 102mm x 65mm
$3,200.00
Hei Matau - 8565HW
Coastal and river-based Māori tribes traditionally used a variety of fishhooks and lures. Hooks and lures varied in shape, material and design. Today hei matau (fishhooks) have become symbolic of traditional Māori technology and continue to symbolize a relationship to Tangaroa, God of the sea.
Material: Pounamu (Hapopo)
Measurements: 62mm x 57mm
$395.00
Pōria Kākā - 5497MA
Pōria Kākā are leg rings crafted from bone or stone used to keep pet kākā (parrots) from flying away. The giant kaka parrot was used by the Māori to assist them during hunting. The bird was used as a decoy to capture other kaka parrots.
As with many Māori items the kaka ring was both used as a tool as well as an adornment.
Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)
Measurements: 35mm x 25mm x 4mm
$450.00
Toki - 6179KH
The toki pendent is based on the form of the carving chisel used in whakairo (Māori carving).
Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)
Measurements: 50mm x 19mm x 6mm
$450.00