Nelson Pounamu Hei Tiki

The Story of Rangi Mataora

Before Rangi Mataora took form, it rested within a rare piece of botryoidal pounamu from Te Tau Ihu, shaped slowly by the land and carrying two distinct characters within one stone.

Through the body runs a deep, earthy green, clouded with natural markings and inclusions. It speaks of the whenua, steady, grounded and enduring. Across the head and face, the stone changes into a cooler blue toned nephrite, reminiscent of the sky above the land.

It was this natural division that guided the carving.

The name Rangi Mataora was chosen to reflect the relationship between inner thought and outward presence. Rangi evokes the open sky, the realm of perspective, awareness and clarity. Mataora, the living face, represents expression, identity and the way a person carries themselves in the world.

Together, these ideas give Rangi Mataora his character. Watchful without being fearful, strong without needing to be forceful, and grounded while remaining open to what lies ahead.

The openings through the body allow light to enter the stone, revealing layers that cannot always be seen from the surface. They are a reminder that strength does not come from being closed or impenetrable. Sometimes it comes from allowing light through, recognising what is within, and creating space between thought and action.

Rangi Mataora is intended as a guardian of clear judgement and steady presence. He represents the pause before a decision, the awareness to see beyond the immediate moment, and the strength to act with purpose rather than impulse.

May he remind the person who carries him to remain connected to the ground beneath them, while keeping their mind open like the sky above.

Protective, observant and quietly powerful, Rangi Mataora carries the balance of earth and sky within a single stone.

About This Piece:
Material: Rare Te Tau Ihu (Nelson) Botryoidal Jade with a green body and blue-toned nephrite through the head
Eyes: Paua inlay
Size:(approx 89mm x 57mm)
Crafted: Hand carved in Te Tau Ihu, New Zealand