Te Whanau a Apanui
I grew up in Kawerau in the north island of New Zealand and like many across Aotearoa am of mixed Māori and European ancestry. I have always been drawn to stone and started carving pounamu as a hobby whilst I was studying at University. Since completing my Bachelor of Arts in Maori I have become self-employed, working with pounamu full time.
My wife and I live at Te Kopua in our Te Whānau ā-Apanui homeland and it is from here we run our pounamu and stone jewellery business. To live and work in one’s own tribal area is a profoundly spiritual experience for me and we feel privileged to be able to support ourselves doing something we love so much.
Working daily with sacred stones like Pounamu, Pakohe, Ōnewa and Tangiwai is a hugely satisfying occupation - starting with a block of raw stone then cutting, grinding and shaping that stone to produce an art form that is aesthetically pleasing to both the eye and touch.
The Māori craftsmanship seen in pre-European stone artefacts is an on-going inspiration for me and with this in mind I continually strive to honour the Māori blood running in my veins. Through my working of stone I see myself as continuing a tradition in Aotearoa that extends back through the mists of time.
I believe there is mauri and energy in all stone and creating art forms that in many instances will become family taonga or heirlooms is a humbling and extremely rewarding experience.
If you have chosen one of my pieces I thank you and hope it brings you, or the intended recipient, much pleasure.
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