A Heart of Stone That Beats for our Community

Introducing the Crusade with Heart Kouma – a partnership between Moko Pounamu and the Crusade with Heart Foundation.

At Moko Pounamu, we believe pounamu carries more than beauty. It carries stories, values, and purpose. That’s why we are honoured to partner with the Crusaders and their Crusade with Heart Foundation to create a taonga that embodies the very best of what it means to show up for one another.

For Each Other – A Value That Runs Deeper Than Rugby

The Crusaders’ core identity is built on three simple but powerful words: For Each Other. It means being part of something bigger than any individual – on the field, in the stands, and far beyond the stadium. To live that value is to lead with courage, yes, but also with compassion and understanding. It is kindness in action, generosity that doesn’t wait for applause.

That spirit is what gave rise to the Crusade with Heart Foundation in 2022. The Foundation exists to build belonging and connection where they are needed most – not as a side project, but as a commitment to become one of the most impactful sports organisations in the world.

Over $1 Million for Youth And Growing

Since its first steps, the Foundation has raised more than $1,000,000 for youth‑focused charities across Aotearoa. Initiatives like The Long Run, the Hall of Fame Charity Lunch, and themed rounds such as Connection Round have turned fundraising into genuine community action. Every dollar stays local, helping young Kiwis find stability, hope, and a sense of place.

Now, every sale of the Kouma you see here will add directly to that work.

Carved from Hapopo – Stone Shaped by Time and Water

This heart‑shaped Kouma is not an ordinary pendant. It is carved from Hapopo Pounamu, a stone formed through immense time, pressure, and the quiet forces of whenua and wai – land and water. It carries the memory of place, of ancestors, and of the enduring connection between people and the environment.

The stone is sourced from Te Tai Poutini, the West Coast of the South Island, and shaped entirely by hand here in Ōtautahi Christchurch at Moko Workshops by carver Josh Manning. The craftsmanship is local, grounded in whānau, guided by aroha, and expressed through manaaki.

Te Mānawanui – The Strength of the Next Generation

At the centre of this Kouma lies Te Mānawanui: the enduring strength and wellbeing of our young people. It is a living promise that what we shape today will sustain them tomorrow.

The form itself speaks to connection – two halves reaching toward one another, holding a space between them for care, responsibility, and growth. This is a heart made of stone, not to harden, but to endure.

A Symbol of Resilience Worn Close to the Heart

Traditionally, the Kouma represents the sternum, the central structure of the body that provides support and endurance. Worn close to the heart, it symbolises protection, inner strength, and the ability to meet life’s challenges with determination.

The coolness of the stone against the skin is no accident. It connects the wearer to Papatūānuku, grounding them in their own journey while reminding them they are never truly alone.

A Taonga of Meaning and Purpose

Moko Pounamu is proud to stand alongside the Crusaders and the Crusade with Heart Foundation. This Kouma is more than a beautiful object – it is a tangible commitment to community, to young people, and to the values that make Aotearoa strong.

Every Kouma sold helps build belonging, one heart at a time.

Interested in owning this taonga or gifting it to someone who leads with heart?

You can choose your unique Kouma here or visit our showroom in Ōtautahi Christchurch to see the Kouma in person.