Totoweka Toki Pounamu

Description

Totoweka Toki Pounamu
Traditional South Island Type 1A Hafted Moa Hunter quadrangular Toki (adze) made from Whakatu (Nelson) Totoweka Pounamu. In pre-European New Zealand, Type 1A toki (adze), typical of early East Polynesian tools, were used for a variety of woodworking tasks, including felling trees, hollowing out canoes (waka), and constructing houses and wharenui. Adzes were often made from pounamu (jade) or other stone types available in the region. Adzes were not only practical tools but also held cultural and symbolic significance for Māori.
Totoweka pounamu a type of New Zealand greenstone (nephrite jade), is distinguished by its deep green color with red-brown, blood-like streaks and spots, named after the native bush hen (weka) and “toto” meaning blood.
This Toki represents strength, courage, and authority.