Tangiwai Black Serpentine Curved Toki (Adze)

This Tangiwai Black Serpentine Curved 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 Tangiwai Black Serpentine, this taonga showcases deep black and dark blue tones with subtle natural markings that make every piece completely unique. 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 elegant curved profile of the toki celebrates the natural flow of the stone while symbolising resilience, adaptability, 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 undertaken with respect for the whakapapa of the stone, ensuring each taonga carries meaning that can be treasured for generations.

🔹 Material: Genuine Tangiwai Black Serpentine (New Zealand Stone)
🔹 Style: Curved 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, colour, 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 curved toki carries both story and mauri (life force).

Exclusively available through Toki Toru Pounamu.