Tekoteko Toki

Description

This Tekoteko Toki is made from rare Pipiwharauroa Jade which is found in the Arahura River West Coast and also in the Nelson rohe (area) South Island, New Zealand. The Nelson Pipiwharauroa is a brighter chatoyant Jade type more silver in colour, harvested up the Aniseed Valley Nelson. Pipiwharauroa Pounamu (Jade) is a rare and unique type of New Zealand greenstone named after the shining cuckoo due to it’s chatoyant, striped belly markings. The jade is hard and was a pleasure to carve into the Tekoteko toki (adze). Tekoteko is a Maori language term for carved human like figures crafted to represent ancient tribal ancestors who instil general protection and guardianship over the tribe.