Aroha Parakore - Pure Love

This Taonga is a recent commission. It is a combination of pounamu, whale tooth, brass, opal and pāua. It is an honour to receive a taonga made from the combination of these materials. The meaning of it is as follows:

The stone is authentic Ngāi Tahu Pounamu. This raw stone is Kahurangi, the Māori word for ‘precious’ or ‘prized possession’. Within this block of stone, the colours range from a warm apricot, through to creamy greens. This stone was sourced from the rivers of Tai Poutini ki te Raki, the northern region of the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

This taonga is named Aroha Parakore which means Pure Love. As such this name carries many dimensions of meaning. It carries the deep love of your wife for you. It also harnesses the love of your two sons. The love of your late mother is also represented in the inlayed opal that connects all the elements of this carving together. As such, this reflects the pure love you hold for your whānau and their love for you.

Starting with the whale tooth aspect of the carving. Its central theme is the manaia which is depicted as the main kaitiaki. This represents your strength, protection, and provision for loved ones.

Your partner is depicted near the base and is one with the body of the main manaia. This symbolises that you and [your wife] have become one flesh. Beside this is a koru containing a small inlay of opal. This represents the beginnings of a new chapter and the continuing of the lineage.

Either side of the kaitiaki are two smaller manaia. These symbolise your sons. Each are intricately interconnected with you and each other. One holds onto the sky and one to the main body below. It is a holding together of whānau which brings ora to the generations.

The eyes are made of pāua. This all come from the same shell and yet are each completely unique. This shows that there are individual strengths we each bring into the mix of life.

The pounamu above contains an abstract depiction of a heron. This heron is reaching upwards towards the great Tapu Atua, the source of all life, strength, and mana. For it is not in our own strength that we achieve anything worthwhile, but by the grace of te Atua. Therefore, the heron in flight symbolises the majestic spiritual journey of the truth-seeker.