Pounamu - Totoweka Earrings & Toki Set - Wha

Our pounamu is made from genuine NZ stone and locally carved here in New Zealand. Our range of 100% handmade pounamu / jade is constantly changing. Please enquire about our current range. From the southern mountains of Aotearoa, pounamu makes its journey down the sacred rivers and beaches to the hands of the kaitiaki (caretakers). It is said pounamu chooses to be revealed. Each Taonga (sacred creature) is lovingly handcrafted using natural spring water, rongoa (native plants) and blessings. The essence of the wearer is absorbed into pounamu and passed through the generations creating precious links.

Totoweka. This stone is usually similar to the mid green kawakawa variety but differs in that the spotting or streaks are red like blood. It is rare to find totoweka in the Westland jade fields, but when a piece is discovered it is highly cherished and sometimes becomes the show piece of the fossicker’s collection. Large deposits of totoweka occur in the South Westland area. The name comes from toto (blood), weka (Native bush hen) or weka blood.

This set is loving carved from the same piece of stone.

Toki Size: 11cm x 1.5cm

Earring Size: 9.5cm x 1.3cm

Carver:  Phil Priest
Phil grew up in a family of 5 in Hamilton City. He is a seventh generation New Zealander,  who whakapapa’s back to Tahiti. Phil has always had a passion for the South Pacific and the spiritual and cultural connection to New Zealand.  Phil specialises in a unique variety of New Zealand Pounamu and takes special care in ethically sourcing the stone.