Hokitika Black Serpentine Straight Toki (Adze)

This Hokitika Black Serpentine Straight Toki is a taonga of strength, leadership, and resilience. Hand-carved by 16-year-old Māori carver Hemi Smiler Smith, it honours the tradition of the toki (adze), a symbol of determination, achievement, and the ability to shape one's own path. Traditionally, the toki represented not only craftsmanship and hard work but also wisdom, authority, and the pursuit of excellence.

Carved from genuine Hokitika Black Serpentine, this taonga showcases the deep black tones and subtle natural markings that make every piece one of a kind. Formed over millions of years within the landscapes of Te Waipounamu, the stone carries its own whakapapa, connecting the wearer to the strength of Papatūānuku and the enduring beauty of Aotearoa. The clean, straight profile of the toki highlights the elegance of the stone while reflecting discipline, focus, and purpose.

The binding, completed by Hemi himself, is woven with care and intention, creating a lasting connection between the stone, the carver, and the wearer. Every stage of the carving process—from selecting the stone to the final polish—is carried out with respect for the whakapapa of the stone, ensuring each taonga holds meaning that can be treasured for generations.

🔹 Material: Genuine Hokitika Black Serpentine (New Zealand Stone)
🔹 Style: Straight Toki (Adze) – symbolising strength, leadership, resilience, and achievement
🔹 Binding: Waxed cord, hand-bound by the carver
🔹 Finish: Hand-polished to reveal the stone's natural depth and character
🔹 Carver: Hemi Smiler Smith, 16-year-old Māori carver
🔹 Origin: Hand-carved in Ōtautahi, Aotearoa New Zealand

Whether worn as a symbol of personal strength, gifted to celebrate a milestone, or treasured as a connection to whakapapa and tradition, this straight toki carries both story and mauri (life force).

Exclusively available through Toki Toru Pounamu.