Serpentine Straight-Curved Toki (Adze)

This Serpentine Straight-Curved Toki is a taonga of strength, leadership, resilience, and connection. Hand-carved by 16-year-old Māori carver Hemi Smiler Smith, this piece honours the traditional form of the toki (adze), representing determination, achievement, wisdom, and the ability to shape one's own path.

The straight-curved form creates a distinctive profile, combining a strong, structured line with a flowing curve. This balance represents strength and adaptability, while reflecting the natural character of the stone and the skill involved in shaping it.

Carved from genuine Serpentine, this taonga showcases rich natural green tones, subtle variations, and distinctive 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. No two pieces are exactly the same, allowing each toki to carry its own natural character, story, and mauri.

🔹 Material: Genuine Serpentine
🔹 Design: Straight-Curved Toki (Adze)
🔹 Meaning: Strength, leadership, resilience, adaptability, balance, and achievement
🔹 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 symbol of personal strength, gifted to mark an important milestone, or treasured as a connection to whakapapa and tradition, this straight-curved toki carries both story and mauri.

Created with intention. Worn with meaning.

Exclusively available through Toki Toru Pounamu.