Pounamu Shapes and Meanings

The Manaia is a guardian spirit and messenger in Māori tradition. Often depicted with the head of a bird, the body of a human, and the tail of a fish, it represents the balance between sky, earth, and sea. It acts as a kaitiaki (protector), watching over the wearer and serving as a link between the physical and spiritual worlds.

The Toki was an essential tool, shaped from stone or pounamu and used for carving, building and survival. Over time, it came to symbolise strength, determination, and authority. Today, it is worn as a symbol of mana (prestige), leadership, control, and honour - a reminder of the resilience and focus needed to shape one's own path.

The Hei Tiki is one of the most iconic and treasured forms in Māori culture. Traditionally carved from pounamu and worn close to the heart, it is often regarded as a representation of the first human. It embodies the bond between people and their ancestors, symbolising whakapapa (genealogy), fertility, knowledge, and spiritual strength.

The Koru takes its form from the unfurling silver fern frond. Its spiral shape represents new life, growth, and renewal. The inward coil suggests a return to one's origins, while the outward movement reflects peace, hope, and personal growth. It is a symbol of harmony, perpetual movement, and the ever-unfolding journey of life.

For generations of Māori, the ocean was a primary food source, making a finely crafted fish hook a prized possession. The Hei Matau represents the deep connection to Tangaroa, god of the sea. It symbolises prosperity, abundance, strength, and safe journey over water, honouring the relationship with the ocean and its life.

The Kuru or Roimata, named for its teardrop shape, is widely regarded as a comfort stone symbolising healing, remembrance, and emotional strength. Its form represents tears shed in sadness, love, or compassion. Worn close to the heart, it is a reminder of love and connection that endures.

The Pikorua design, with its single or multiple twists, speaks of eternal connection. The single twist symbolises the joining of two lives into one shared journey, representing friendship, loyalty, and unity. Double or triple twists represent the unbreakable bonds between peoples, cultures, and generations - paths that may part but always return together.

The Kōuma, or breastplate, was traditionally worn over the chest as a symbol of mana and protection. Carved from pounamu, bone, or shell, it represented strength, authority, and connection to the ancestors. It embodies courage, leadership, and the spiritual guardianship of the wearer.

Carved from whale tooth or bone, the Rei Niho carries immense mana (prestige). Worn by chiefs as a mark of status, it embodies strength, authority, and wisdom drawn from Tangaroa, the god of the sea. It honours the whale as a kaitiaki (guardian), representing leadership, courage, and respect for the ocean.

The Heart pendant represents love in all its forms: romantic, family and enduring. It symbolises deep connection and the unspoken bond between people. Gifted to a partner, family member, or close friend, or worn in remembrance, it is a timeless expression of aroha (love), care, and appreciation.

The Porohita, or disc, represents the circle of life: a form without beginning or end. It symbolises the cycles of time, seasons, and renewal, where every ending is a new beginning. It embodies energy, balance, and protection, often seen as a spiritual shield that creates harmony and guards against negativity.

The Kapeu, with its elegant, softly curved form, traditionally signified high rank and status. Traditionally worn as an earring by chiefs and orators, it symbolises wisdom, communication, and the art of storytelling. It represents the flow of knowledge and the power of words to inspire and unite, reminding us that true strength lies in understanding.

The Mere is a Māori short-handled weapon, traditionally crafted from pounamu. It is distinguished by its tear-drop shape, a sharpened edge, and a hole for a wrist cord. As a close-combat weapon, it was a symbol of authority, strength, and prestige. Today, a Mere carries this legacy and embodies the concept of mana, connecting the owner to the resolve and heritage of Māori warriors.

The Shepherd's Whistle has guided flocks across Aotearoa's hills since the 1800s. More than a practical tool, it stands as a symbol of connection, communication, and tradition. Its clear tone represents unity and understanding, a call that connects people across distance, honouring the bond between farmers, their dogs, and the land.

The Manta Ray is revered as a guardian of the ocean depths. Its graceful, gliding movement symbolises protection, awareness, and spiritual balance. In Māori belief, it moves freely between realms as a kaitiaki, guiding and protecting those connected to the sea. Its calm presence conceals a gentle yet formidable strength.

The Silver Fern is a treasured emblem of Aotearoa. The unfolding fronds symbolise new beginnings, resilience, and national pride. It represents the journey of life: renewal, perseverance, and the strength to grow through change. When carved in pounamu, it connects the wearer to the land and enduring spirit of the country.

The Rātana Star is a five-pointed star sacred to the Rātana faith. It symbolises divine light, faith, and guidance. It represents the presence of Ihoa (Jehovah) and embodies the values of unity, enlightenment, and spiritual strength. It is a taonga of both deep spiritual significance and cultural pride.

Matariki is the Māori name for the  Pleiades star cluster. Its rising in the Southern Hemisphere’s midwinter marks the Māori New Year, a time of remembrance, celebration, and renewal. It is a moment to honour whānau past and present, reflect on the year gone by, and set hopes for the season ahead - a symbol of hope and connection beneath the winter sky.