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
Marakihau - 0267UN
Marakihau were believed to harass and prey on shore-living people or sea-travellers. Some were said to be the spirits of departed men, an example being the famed chief Te Tahi, ancestor of the Awa people of Whakatane where a marakihau carving decorates a meeting house.
Material: Koiwi (Beef Bone)
Measurements: 130mm x 50mm
$2,900.00
Pātītī - 0108LN
To create a pātītī, an iron axe-head was fastened to a carved timber or whalebone handle resulting in a weapon that was practical and uniquely decorated. Prior to the introduction of the musket, the pātītī was a weapon favoured by Māori in the New Zealand Land Wars.
Material: Handle: Parāoa (Whalebone) & Blade: Steel
Measurements: 410mm x 130mm
$6,500.00
Heru - 3755IR
Heru were produced in varying shapes and sizes and were made from wood, and in some instance’s whalebone. These combs were highly valued as personal heirlooms and were consequently passed down from one generation to the next, often acquiring their own personal names. The combs were mostly decorative and held the pūtikitiki (top knot) in place. When a comb was broken, it was placed in a swamp or some sacred place for safe keeping because the head was the most sacred part of the body and therefore tapu (sacred).
Material: Koiwi (Beef Bone)
Measurements: 180mm x 30mm
$990.00
Toki Earrings - 4998RH
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: Parāoa (Whalebone)
Measurements: 69mm x 12mm
$490.00
Toki Earrings - 6605RH
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: Parāoa (Whalebone)
Measurements: 53mm x 8mm
$490.00
Māhē - 4501HW
Māhē are sinker stones used to weigh down fishing nets.
Material: Otaua (Greywacke)
Measurements: 50mm x 37mm x 35mm
$490.00
Māhē - 4510TO
Māhē are sinker stones used to weigh down fishing nets.
Material: Waikohatu (Greywacke)
Measurements: 74mm x 48mm x 30mm
$490.00
Rei Niho - 3789IA
The mark of a high Chief was one who wore the hei niho (whale tooth pendant), as the teeth of the sperm whale were highly prized because of their rarity. Usually these pendants had simply etched out eyes to form a head at one end. With actual whale teeth being such a rarity, it became common to fashion the tooth form from other materials.
Material: Koiwi (Beef Bone)
Measurements: 67mm x 40mm
$250.00
Rei Niho - 5265IA
The mark of a high Chief was one who wore the hei niho (whale tooth pendant), as the teeth of the sperm whale were highly prized because of their rarity. Usually these pendants had simply etched out eyes to form a head at one end. With actual whale teeth being such a rarity, it became common to fashion the tooth form from other materials.
Material: Koiwi (Beef Bone)
Measurements: 78mm x 26mm x 4mm
$220.00
Rei Niho - 5266IA
The mark of a high Chief was one who wore the hei niho (whale tooth pendant), as the teeth of the sperm whale were highly prized because of their rarity. Usually these pendants had simply etched out eyes to form a head at one end. With actual whale teeth being such a rarity, it became common to fashion the tooth form from other materials.
Material: Koiwi (Beef Bone)
Measurements: 60mm x 33mm x 4mm
$220.00
Kapeu - 4520IA
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: Pounamu (Kawakawa)
Measurements: 86mm x 10mm x 6mm
$390.00