Moko Pounamu Sheppard's Whistle NZ Genuine Totoweka Greenstone - Ongaonga

A shepherd’s whistle is used predominantly by the farmer to communicate commands to his sheepdogs and is often seen at sheepdog trials. This is an exquisite example of the whistle and is handcrafted from the most stunning piece of Totoweka Pounamu.

These pounamu whistles won’t bend or buckle over time like metal or plastic and produce clear, high frequency tones that are easy to modulate and vary the pitch. This allows the shepherd to communicate many different commands to his dogs giving precise instructions using only the whistle. The frequency is at optimal pitch for the dog’s hearing and allows to sound to penetrate through adverse weather and long distance when rounding sheep.

The perfect gift for anyone working with dogs and the bonus of looking like a pendant off the farm.

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.

Hand Carved by Kaleb Schad

Size 35mm long x 47mm wide x 11mm thick

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.