Moko Pounamu Koropepe NZ Genuine Totoweka Greenstone - Matawhero

A gorgeous Koropepe handcrafted from an incredible piece of Totoweka Pounamu. This is a magnificent carving, the definition, and the features like the Paua shell eyes ensure that they stand out and are noticed. A simple design but so powerful and will be a generational taonga. This piece could also be worn.

Koropepe is a mythical being in the shape of an eel, (an important food source for pre-European Maori).It also represents that of a grandfather and has a spiritual meaning of guardianship and warding off evil. The Koru, the curling part of this carving, represents an unfurling new fern shoot, new beginnings, hope, personal growth, purity nurturing, a new phase in life, the spirit of rejuvenation and peace, that of a new Mokopuna (grandchild).Together they form a strong spiritual force for good.

Totoweka- This stone is usually like the mid green Kawakawa variety but differs in that the spotting or streaks are red like blood. It is rare to find Totoweka in the Westland jade fields, but when a piece is discovered, it is highly cherished and sometimes becomes the show piece of the fossicker’s collection. Large deposits of Totoweka occur in the South Westland area. The name comes from toto (blood), weka (Native bush hen) or weka blood. The red iron oxide inclusions were likened to the colour of blood of the Weka.

Paua Shell – Abalone, our Paua shell is rich and deep in iridescent colours unique to New Zealand. Found all around the rocky shoreline coast but grows best in southern waters. Paua shell has been traditionally used by Maori to illuminate the eyes & features of carvings and artwork. While Paua sits within the abalone family, which is found in other parts of the world, namely, South America, Australia, Western North America, and Japan, our Paua's hidden, bright multi-coloured interior shell is only found in New Zealand.

Greywacke – Whatuaho, sometimes called Ōnewa like basalt, is the bedrock of the South Island, its rugged form making up the majestic Southern Alps. Carrying a piece of greywacke is like carrying a piece of the very body of Aotearoa, a tangible connection to the land’s ancient origins. This stone, with its muted tones of grey and brown, holds the stories of millennia, its layers echoing the slow dance of tectonic plates and the relentless forces of erosion. Traditionally shaped with patience and strength, greywacke was used to craft tools and weapons, its resilience mirroring the enduring spirit of Māori people. Holding a piece of greywacke is to hold the essence of the land, a reminder of the deep connection between people and place, and the timeless beauty of Aotearoa’s natural heritage.

Hand Carved by Donna Summer

Sculpture size 96mm long x 81mm wide x 10mm thick

Base 109mm wide x 34mm deep x 80mm high

Total height 150mm

This will be the exact piece you will receive in the photos, there may be a slight degree of colour variation based on different computer or device screen resolutions that you are viewing from.