Aaron Tabak

My name is Aaron Tabak, and I am a self-taught Ngāi Tahu carver of pounamu with whakapapa to Ngāi Tahu, waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāi Tūāhuriri. My practice is grounded in respect for whakapapa, whenua, and the cultural significance of pounamu.

I approach each stone with the understanding that it carries its own story, its own characteristics . As a carver, my role is not to impose form, but to work in partnership with the material to reveal what already exists within it. Through my work, I seek to create taonga that honour tradition, strengthen connections, and contribute to the continuation of Ngāi Tahu pounamu carving for future generations.