Māori have a strong cultural connection to whales and consider them descendants of Tangaroa, the great god of the ocean. It is thought that when whales swam alongside waka (canoe) on long journeys across the Pacific ocean, they were acting as guardians, guiding the way through storms and towards the safety of the land. This striking whale tooth pendant incorporates a manaia design and was carved by Tamaora Walker from New Zealand pounamu.
Product Information
Shipping and Delivery Dates
Returns
Loading...
Why Choose Pounamu
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
A gift that will last
Forever connected with a loved one
Supporting local artists
Our Promise
Hand carved
Smooth lines, soft finishes, no scratches and no cuts.
Sustainable packaging
Wherever possible we use sustainable packaging.
Gift wrapping
We offer a Premium Gift Wrapping service.
Free shipping
On all domestic orders.
The Manaia is a guardian and protector.
The Manaia is a messenger and spiritual kaitiaki (guardian) of the sky, earth and sea.A greatly respected mythological creature in Māori culture, it brings balance and protection to those you love most.
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.
Akapita Scally
The artist behind this creationFuelled by the love of seeing his ideas come to life in pounamu, Akapita Scally carefully considers design flow and significance when creating his signature pieces known for their meticulous finish and radiating beauty.
As a part of Rotorua’s carving industry for the past decade, Aka has had the privilege of working alongside some of the town’s finest pounamu artists. His designs are notable for their perfect lines and exemplary finishing, and he is particularly skilled at reflecting traditional forms whilst pushing contemporary boundaries.
Akapita is from Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Whakaue and Ngāti Rangitihi.
What Manaia traditionally meant to Māori remains somewhat a mystery, but commonly it is considered that they are magical creatures and spiritual kaitiaki (guardians) of things worth protecting.
Manaia
Believed to be a messenger that moves freely between the spirit realm and the human world, the manaia is a mythological creature, greatly respected in Māori culture and a predominant motif in wood and greenstone carving. Māori culture is rich in pūrākau (legends), and within these legends, mythological, supernatural, and magical creatures are featured prominently, often acting as kaitiaki (guardians) of people or places worth protecting.