Kaupapa

Kereru Pounamu features the Mahi Whakairo of Kai Tahu Pounamu artist Emry Kamahi Tahatai Kereru, drawing inspiration from whakapapa and wairua to honour the culture and carving traditions of Te Waipounamu and Te Tai Tokerau.

Our Taonga are made from genuine South Island Pounamu, sourced under Customary Ownership. We are a kaupapa based Maori business, operating according to Kai Tahu kawa. This means we strive to honour and uphold the sacred essence of the stone, and respect traditional protocols and practices, such as blessing our work with karakia / prayer.

Te Tohu o Kereru Pounamu depicts a Kereru / Kukupa sitting atop the amo of a whare whakairo, or the tupuna Maui-tiketike-a-taranga in his spiritual form. The Tekoteko of the house is Rakaihautu, the Koruru is Whatua-Mamoe, atop the Poutokomanawa is Tahu-potiki. The Maihi and Kowhaiwhai are tribute to Muriwhenua. The sun and star behind signify Hawaiki. This represents our whanau kaupapa, and can also be related to the evolution of Maori carving and culture.

Te Rakaihautu is the founding ancestor of the Waitaha people, the first inhabitants of Te Waipounamu, who arrived on the Waka Uruaokapuarangi fifty generations ago. His descendants adapted the techniques used in Hawaiki to shape Koiwi, Waiapu and Onewa to begin the working of Pounamu. He can be identified with the Kakano Period of Maori Culture.

Whatua-Mamoe was born in Heretaunga in Te Ika a Maui and is another ancient ancestor connected to Toi's people, as well to Rakaihautu himself. His people, Kati Mamoe, spread across the Muaupoko and into the South Island, bringing their own traditions and knowledge. Kati Mamoe dialect is still spoken in the south today. He could possibly be identified with Te Tipunga.

Tahu-Potiki, the epynomous ancestor of Ngai Tahu Whanui, is also associated with Te Ika a Maui and is connected to the Waka Takitimu. His descendant, Tuahuriri, crossed over from Hataitai in Te Whanganui-a-tara to the Waimea Plain at Whakatu, where his father Tumaro had settled. From Tuahuriri came Turakautahi, who led Ngai Tahu into Te Waipounamu, and founded Kaiapoi near present-day Christchurch. Ngai Tahu spread over Te Waipounamu and Kaiapoi became the hub of a flourishing trade network reaching across the islands. He can be identified with Te Puawaitanga, the Flowering, or Classical Period of Maori Culture.  

Kai Tahu (Kai te Rakiamoa, Kai te Atawhiua, Kai Tuahuriri) Kati Mamoe (Kati Kahea, Kati Matamata) Waitaha/Rapuwai
Ngapuhi (Te Uri Kopura, Ngati Hao) Ngati Kahu (Hangaroa, Mangonui) Ngati Whatua Tuturu (Kaipara) Te Patuharakeke (Whangarei) Ngati Whakaue (Rotorua)