Serpentine Pounamu Rakaunui / Porowhita (Circle)

This Serpentine Pounamu Rakaunui / Porowhita is a taonga honouring Te Marama (the Moon) and the ever-changing cycles of life. Hand-carved by 16-year-old Māori carver Hemi Smiler Smith, this piece represents renewal, growth, reflection, balance, and the continuous journey through the phases of the moon.

The circular form of the Porowhita represents completeness, connection, and the cycles that continue without beginning or end. Inspired by Rakaunui, the full moon, this taonga celebrates the brightness and presence of Te Marama while acknowledging the changing phases that guide the natural world and our own journeys.

Carved from genuine New Zealand Serpentine 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.

Every stage of the carving process is completed by Hemi with patience, purpose, and respect for the whakapapa of the stone. From selecting and shaping the stone through to grinding, polishing, and finishing, each step contributes to the story of the taonga and honours its journey from te taiao into the hands of its wearer.

The binding is completed by Hemi himself and carefully hand-finished, creating a connection between the stone, the carver, and the wearer. The finished taonga is a reminder that, like Te Marama, we move through different phases of life—each one carrying its own purpose, lessons, and beauty.

🔹 Material: Genuine Serpentine Pounamu
🔹 Design: Rakaunui / Porowhita (Full Moon / Circle)
🔹 Meaning: Honours Te Marama and the cycles of growth, renewal, reflection, and balance
🔹 Binding: Waxed polyester 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
🔹 One-of-a-kind: Natural variations make every taonga unique

Whether worn as a reminder of your own journey, gifted to mark a new phase in life, or treasured as a connection to Te Marama and whakapapa, this taonga carries both story and mauri.

Created with intention. Worn with meaning.

Exclusively available through Toki Toru Pounamu.