{"product_id":"hei-tiki-pounamu-pendant-by-karaitiana-akroyd","title":"Hei Tiki Pounamu Pendant | by Karaitiana Akroyd","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis beautiful Hei Tiki has been carved from New Zealand pounamu (greenstone\/ jade) by Karaitiana Akroyd - Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Te-Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Tūhoe. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Hei Tiki is the Māori representation of the human form and one's ancestors. Some believe that Tiki was the first man while others believe that he created the first man.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘Hei’ denotes an object or garment worn around the neck and ‘tiki’ is used to describe humanoid forms carved from pounamu (Nephrite jade), wood, bone or other materials\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKaraitiana Akroyd links to both the East and West Coasts of Te-Ika-a-Māui, Aotearoa. Karaitiana has carved for over 8 years and during this time he has been extremely dedicated to his craft, which rarely feels like work to Karaitiana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving supported youth, young adults, and families who have experienced domestic violence, he sought a creative outlet for what became a heavy weight to carry. Karaitiana’s carving began with pounamu and quickly became a medium of creativity, self-care, and gift-giving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKaraitiana was formally trained at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI) - Te Takapū ō Rotowhio, New Zealand Stone and Bone carving school (2020-2022). He is appreciative of the opportunities he has been offered to date, including the many artists who have influenced Karaitiana’s art career. He feels privileged to have spent time with each of these individuals and is grateful to have had mentors such as Barry Te Whatu, Lewis Tamihana-Gardiner, Alan Hobbs, and Renate Verbrugge supporting him and his work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKaraitiana is based in Gisborne and carves a variety of media including pounamu, various stones and bone. He also creates large scale works.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMade in New Zealand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Karaitiana Akroyd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44931512762559,"sku":"325067","price":3469.57,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0355\/4193\/files\/PounamuTikiPendantbyKaraitianaAkroyd1.jpg?v=1769134956","url":"https:\/\/store.aucklandmuseum.com\/en-us\/products\/hei-tiki-pounamu-pendant-by-karaitiana-akroyd","provider":"Auckland Museum Online Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}