Moko Pounamu Wakahuia (Treasure box) Genuine NZ Totoweka Greenstone & Rimu - Okarito

This is a gorgeous hand-carved Rimu Wakahuia (Treasure box) lined with dark green felt and set in the lid is a 30mm South Westland Totoweka Pounamu disc, made on the Arahura Pa from native New Zealand Rimu.

This is a beautiful item to showcase at your home and/or would make a unique wedding or housewarming gift.

Thank you for supporting a small Maori family owned business.

Wakahuia is a traditional Māori carved wooden container, used to store precious items like huia bird feathers, pendants, and personal ornaments. The boxes themselves were treated as taonga (treasures), often named and passed down through generations. Because the heads of high-ranking chiefs were tapu (sacred), items touching their hair were also sacred and dangerous to others, requiring safe storage.

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.

Rimu is a dense native timber of NZ. It is deep reddish brown in colour and is strong and durable. A stunning timber - one of the most beautiful in the world with a fine textured grain.

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.

Carved by Sam Ngaamo

Size 121mm dia x 58mm high

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.