The Toki holds both honor and strength within it because it had to be strong so as to not break when being used as a tool. This adornment was worn by chiefs and leaders of Maori tribes and then passed down through the generations as an heirloom. It signifies focus, control, power, and wisdom to the wearer and enhances the life spirit as it is adorned.
The pounamu (greenstone) toki (adze) is a profound emblem of Māori culture, deeply respected for its symbolism of strength, resilience, and connection. For generations, Māori have valued pounamu not just for its physical properties but for its spiritual significance, embodying mana (prestige and spiritual strength) and whakapapa (ancestral lineage). The toki, crafted with reverence, carries within it the strength of ancestors and their enduring relationship with the land and sea.
It’s presence represents a legacy of courage, leadership, and cultural pride.
My own journey with the toki began in my father’s workshop, where I spent countless hours watching him carve and shape pounamu into timeless creations. When preparing to travel overseas for the first time, I carved my own toki from a stunning green flower pounamu. My father then finished and polished it, gifting me not just a piece of craftsmanship but a tangible connection to home, whānau, and mana. This personal experience highlights the toki’s enduring role, not merely as a tool but as a treasured cultural heirloom, deeply rooted in family and heritage.
Beyond its spiritual importance, pounamu toki were indispensable tools that supported Māori communities in thriving sustainably. Comparable in toughness to stainless steel or the sharp edge of a kitchen knife (rated approximately 6.0–6.5 on the Mohs scale), where diamond ranks as the hardest material at 10, pounamu’s exceptional hardness, density, and durability enabled Māori carvers to effectively fell timber, shape waka (canoes), and construct whare (houses), tasks essential for the prosperity of whānau (families) and iwi (tribes).
This practical strength combined with deep cultural reverence elevated the pounamu toki into a cherished taonga (treasure), pivotal in Māori tradition.
The art of crafting pounamu toki beautifully merges ancestral methods with modern innovations. Historically, Māori artisans patiently shaped pounamu using flint-sand and sandstone rasps, honouring the stone’s inherent mana through meticulous craftsmanship.
Today, diamond tools offer modern carvers enhanced precision, yet the essential practice of incorporating flowing water during carving continues unchanged. This harmonious blend of tradition and innovation preserves the sacredness of the toki while adapting to contemporary artistry.
A Symbol of Strength and Courage
Stories of legendary Māori explorers, such as Kupe, reinforce the toki’s powerful symbolism. These ancestors relied on pounamu toki to chart new paths across Aotearoa, embedding deep historical and cultural significance into the toki’s meaning.
Today, the toki remains a powerful reminder of leadership, determination, and resilience. It is a symbol that celebrates Māori heritage and strengthens connections between past, present, and future generations.
Explore our Toki Adze Pendant collection, each piece thoughtfully carved from pounamu to symbolise resilience, strength, and determination. Historically worn by rangatira (chiefs) as tokens of leadership and wisdom, toki pendants have become treasured gifts marking life's significant milestones.
Gift a toki to inspire courage during challenging moments, celebrate personal achievements, or acknowledge someone’s wisdom and leadership.
Every toki pendant carries profound meaning, connecting the wearer deeply to a legacy of strength, resilience, and cultural heritage.
Customers frequently share how meaningful gifting or wearing toki pendants has been. One customer gifted a toki pendant to their son as he began university, where it became a symbol of confidence and determination. Another shared how wearing her toki pendant connected her to her grandmother, honouring heritage and bringing comfort in challenging times.
Keep your toki pendant polished using a soft cloth. Avoid exposing it to harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.
Yes, a toki pendant can be respectfully worn by anyone who appreciates and honours its cultural significance.
Absolutely, gifting a toki is a meaningful way to acknowledge someone's strength, resilience, or leadership, irrespective of their cultural background.
The pounamu toki symbolises strength, resilience, wisdom, leadership, and determination.
A toki pendant is appropriate to gift during significant milestones such as graduations, new beginnings, personal achievements, or to inspire courage and strength during challenging times.
