Kaiaua Onewa Toki (Adze)

This Kaiaua Onewa Toki is a taonga of strength, leadership, and grounded energy. Hand-carved by 16-year-old Māori artist Hemi Smiler Smith, it honours the tradition of the toki (adze), a symbol of determination, resilience, and the ability to shape one's own path. Traditionally, the toki was used not only for carving and building but also represented wisdom, authority, and achievement.

Crafted from genuine Kaiaua Onewa, this taonga carries the strength and history of Aotearoa's volcanic landscapes. Its deep charcoal tones and natural texture reflect the enduring power of te taiao (the natural world), while the smooth finish highlights the beauty and character of the stone itself.

The binding, completed by Hemi himself, is woven with care and intention, creating a strong connection between the stone, the carver, and the wearer. Every stage of the carving process is undertaken with respect for the whakapapa of the stone and the meaning it will carry for generations to come.

🔹 Material: Genuine Kaiaua Onewa (New Zealand Basalt)
🔹 Style: Traditional Toki (Adze) – symbol of strength, leadership, and resilience
🔹 Binding: Waxed cord, hand-bound by the carver
🔹 Finish: Smooth satin polish highlighting the stone's natural beauty
🔹 Carver: Hemi Smiler Smith, 16-year-old Māori carver
🔹 Origin: Hand-carved in Ōtautahi, Aotearoa New Zealand

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

Exclusively available through Toki Toru Pounamu.