If you're looking for a reason to buy something meaningful, and haven't quite made your mind up yet, here are some reasons to gift pounamu. From supporting local artists to the deep meaning associated with the stone, pounamu is a truly amazing gift to give.
Every piece is one-of-a-kind
Our pieces are handcrafted with love
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Forever connected with a loved one
Supporting local artists
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Smooth lines, soft finishes, no scratches and no cuts.
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The Niho is a symbol of guardianship, trust and protection.
The Niho (Tooth) design depicts the ocean’s most powerful creatures.In Māori culture, whales were considered gifts of the ocean and believed to be treasures cast onto the beach by Tangaroa (god of the sea). Sharks also play a role in Māori mythology and are symbolic of guardianship, trust and protection.
Gift, with love
Every detail of our packaging is thoughtfully curated, from sustainable, low-ink, recyclable materials to personalised touches like mini-meaning cards and artist profiles. For an extra special touch, our Premium Gift Wrapping service means we wrap your piece in elegant kraft paper, tied with natural string and a woven jute ribbon.
Clarence Collier
The artist behind this creationOriginally from Tairāwhiti (Gisborne), Clarence Collier brings a deep passion for creativity to his craft. Currently based in Petone, Wellington, he has been immersed in the arts for over twenty-eight years, with the past eight dedicated to pounamu carving.
Clarence's journey into carving was sparked by a love for communicating through the arts, and inspiration flows from many sources, from the dynamic movements of cubism explored by Pablo Picasso to the semi-abstract works of sculptor Henry Moore.
Although a primarily self-taught artist, Clarence has expanded his skills through additional studies in visual arts and pounamu carving, refining a unique and personal style.
Clarence is from Ngāti Porou and Te Ai Tanga a Māhaki.
A talisman connected to Māori mythology, the Niho symbolises strength, leadership and resilience, and is commonly associated with two animals - the whale and the shark.
Niho (Tooth)
Traditionally, whale teeth are important cultural objects throughout the Pacific. When a whale washed up onto the shores, Māori would use its meat as food, the blubber as preserving oil, and the bones and teeth were carved into adornments and weaponry. Mako (shark tooth adornments) were also highly esteemed and treasured by Māori and often worn from the ear. Today, we carve whale and shark necklaces from beautiful pieces of greenstone to continue with tradition and connect people with their history, heritage and land.