{"product_id":"hapopo-niho-taniwha-cared-by-hemi","title":"Hapopo Niho Taniwha - cared by Hemi","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHapopo Niho Taniwha is a taonga honouring the ancient power and mystery of taniwha\u003c\/strong\u003e—the legendary water guardians of Aotearoa. Hand-carved by 16-year-old Māori carver Hemi Smiler Smith, this piece represents protection, strength, wisdom, and the deep connection to our ancestral waters and spiritual guardians.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Hapopo Niho design celebrates the tooth of taniwha—symbols of power, guardianship, and the fierce beauty of these mythical beings. Carved with reverence for the stories and mana of taniwha, this taonga honours the guardians who watch over our waterways and communities.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCrafted from genuine New Zealand Hapopo Pounamu, this taonga showcases rich natural green tones, subtle variations, and unique markings formed over time. Each piece carries its own natural character, connecting the wearer to te taiao, the whenua, and the ancient journey of the stone.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery stage of the carving process is completed by Hemi with patience, purpose, and respect for the whakapapa of the stone. From selecting and shaping through to grinding, polishing, and finishing, each step honours the mana of the taonga and its journey from te taiao into the hands of its wearer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe binding is hand-completed by Hemi himself and carefully finished, creating a living connection between the stone, the carver, and the wearer. This finished taonga is a reminder of the strength and guardianship that flows through our lineage and our land.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 Material: Genuine Serpentine Pounamu\u003cbr\u003e🔹 Design: Niho Taniwha (Taniwha Tooth)\u003cbr\u003e🔹 Meaning: Honours taniwha guardians, protection, strength, and ancestral connection\u003cbr\u003e🔹 Binding: Waxed polyester cord, hand-bound by the carver\u003cbr\u003e🔹 Finish: Hand-polished to reveal the stone's natural depth and character\u003cbr\u003e🔹 Carver: Hemi Smiler Smith, 16-year-old Māori carver\u003cbr\u003e🔹 Origin: Hand-carved in Ōtautahi, Aotearoa New Zealand\u003cbr\u003e🔹 One-of-a-kind: Natural variations make every taonga unique\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhether worn as a guardian of your own mana, gifted to honour protection and strength, or treasured as a connection to taniwha and whakapapa, this taonga carries both story and mauri.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCreated with intention. Worn with meaning.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whakapakari Ora Wahine Wellness","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49097707782283,"sku":null,"price":200.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/9685\/3643\/files\/IMG_2442.jpg?v=1787975879","url":"https:\/\/whakapakariora.com\/products\/hapopo-niho-taniwha-cared-by-hemi","provider":"Whakapakari Ora Wahine Wellness","version":"1.0","type":"link"}