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
Aurei - 5635KC
Aurei were customarily used as a pin for fastening cloaks and may be made from bone, stone, wood or shell. They may also have been worn through the ear as an earring or around the neck as a pendant. Aurei are still commonly worn as pendants and earrings and as with most Māori personal adornments, are often passed down generationally.
Material: Koiwi (Beef Bone)
Measurements: 131mm x 13mm
$350.00
Toki - 5523IA
The toki pendent is based on the form of the carving chisel used in whakairo (Māori carving).
Material: Onewa (NZ Greywacke)
Measurements: 53mm x 11mm x 7mm
$320.00
Hei Niho - 5397KC
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: Onewa (NZ Greywacke)
Measurements: 73mm x 21mm
$310.00
Mourei - 6168KH
The breastplate represents strength, serving as a shield and offering protection.
Material: Pounamu (Kawakawa)
Measurements: 46mm x 19mm x 6mm
$290.00
Autui Paua Shell - 5631KC
Autui were customarily used as a pin for fastening cloaks and may be made from bone, stone, wood or shell. They may also have been worn through the ear as an earring or around the neck as a pendant. Autui are still commonly worn as pendants and earrings and as with most Māori personal adornments, are often passed down generationally.
Material: Paua Shell
Measurements: 131mm x 31mm
$290.00
Autui Paua Shell - 5632KC
Autui were customarily used as a pin for fastening cloaks and may be made from bone, stone, wood or shell. They may also have been worn through the ear as an earring or around the neck as a pendant. Autui are still commonly worn as pendants and earrings and as with most Māori personal adornments, are often passed down generationally.
Material: Paua Shell
Measurements: 118mm x 15mm
$290.00
Kurupapa - 6166KH
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: 51mm x 13mm x 2mm
$270.00
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 - 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