Welcoming the Newest Branch of the Family
Pounamu: Stone of Beginnings & Belonging
The arrival of a pēpi (baby) ignites any whānau with joy and a sense of connection. As we gather for their naming, tohi (dedication), or baptism, we seek taonga that embody our hopes and anchor them to their whakapapa.
Gifting pounamu at birth weaves ancient symbolism into new life:
- Connection to Papatūānuku: Born of the earth, it grounds pēpi to the whenua (land).
- Manaaki (Protection): A silent guardian, echoing the whānau’s encircling love.
- Pure Potential: Like a seed holding a forest, it honours the journey ahead.
- Whakapapa Anchor: A tangible link to tūpuna (ancestors) and the living whānau.
The First Sacred Act: Pounamu in the Birth Journey
For generations, pounamu’s role began even earlier, guiding pēpi from womb to world.
Our Pito Cutter Sets honour this tradition, reviving the practice of Tapuhi (midwives) who used ceremonial stones to sever the pito (umbilical cord), symbolising the transition to new life.
The Pito Cutter Set: Ceremony & Practical Aroha
Each set includes:
- Inanga Pounamu Blade: Sourced ethically from Te Waipounamu (South Island), sharpened for precision.
- Muka Pito Ties: Hand-gathered, naturally antibacterial flax fibre - soft on skin, eco-friendly, and nappy-safe.
- Rimu Wood Board & Flax Kete: A sustainable cutting surface and woven basket for safekeeping.
Why choose this ritual?
- Symbolism: The pounamu blade "cuts old ties" while welcoming pēpi into the physical world.
- Gentleness: Muka ties nurture delicate skin, free from plastic or metal.
- Legacy: The set becomes a sacred heirloom, marking the whānau’s first act of love.
Moko Pounamu: Crafting Beginnings with Reverence
We honour these traditions by offering:
- Pito Cutter Sets: Ethically crafted, each blade blessed as a ceremonial tool. [Link to Collection]
- Pono (Integrity): Pounamu sourced from Ngāi Tahu rohe with iwi stewardship. Muka ties handwoven sustainably in Otautahi.
Next in our series: Celebrating your pēpi’s
First Birthday (Tahi Tau) with pounamu - a milestone of strength and joy!
Moko Pounamu Knowledge Library
Owen Mapp is a highly regarded bone carver from Aotearoa New Zealand. At Moko Pounamu we are privileged to have some of Owen’s collection of pieces for sale in our retail shop and online.
We welcome anyone would like to come in to view the collection in person.
As the Southern Hemisphere settles into winter and the nights grow longer, many New Zealanders have become familiar with watching for Matariki to signal the beginning of the Māori New Year - and a public holiday to enjoy with our families. But there's another celestial guide that deserves our attention, particularly here in the South Island: Puanga, the brilliant star that serves as an equally significant marker for this sacred time of year.
