Bespoke Taonga
Āe, we do bespoke, made-to-order, commissions! We'd love to work with you to create something beautiful and unique that tells your story.
Just a couple of VERY IMPORTANT things before we dive in
- First, go check out some of our past commissions, have a look around our website, Facebook and Instagram accounts. Get an idea of, and a feel for, Tim’s unique style and be sure it fits with your vision.
- Tim does not carve Koru, Pikoura(twists) or elaborate carvings. This is simply not his style.
- Each bespoke taonga varies in price, however we have a minimum charge of $500 for your commission.
- Custom made taonga bookings are strictly limited and fill up fast, so we recommend booking your space as soon as possible.
- Carving is a skill honed over years of experience, working closely every day with different types of pounamu that all behave in different ways and that each throw up unique and quirky challenges to the artist. When you commission a piece it's based on your input, but ultimately, you must trust in the artist to interpret and express your piece as they see fit.
When you have an idea of what you’d like, email us with the details below.
The more you can share with us the better;
- Size
- Shape/design (it really helps the process if you have pictures of styles you love so we can get an idea of what you are wanting)
- Date required by
- Pounamu colour preference(if any)
- Stone preference (pounamu or pakohe)
- How much you’d like to spend (we don’t judge, we just want to give you the best possible options and value for your putea)
Any other information you think is important for Tim to know
Once we have received your information we will confirm your commission booking and give you a general outline of the design Tim has in mind.
This is the time for us to korero about your commission request and for you to ask any further patai.
Unless we have a patai, we do not send progress photos as it interferes with the creative process.
Once your taonga is complete we will be in touch with payment details and a photo of your finished taonga.
Timoti & Morganne are a pleasure to deal with. My order was a bit rushed but it was no problem to them, they made it work! And Timoti created what i wanted and so much more. The two taonga are spectacular the craftmanship stunning. Lots of attention to detail even with the plated/braided neck piece. When the taonga arrived in eco packaging and i looked at them i got the shivers. If you are wanting a taonga made or already made, then Taonga by Timoti is where it is at. This whānau are connected to the mauri of the whenua. solidified wairua!!!
Ngā mihi nui aroha - Ātea a Rangi Educational Trust
Over and above friendly, personal service and beautiful individually designed and crafted pieces, Taonga By Timoti's te ao Māori values and approach can be seen and felt in all interactions with Tim and Morganne. From ensuring that their mahi is in harmony with mana whenua, the awa, and the pounamu; to the desire to match the wairua of each taonga to each customer; to the choice of home-compostable packaging they evince a care for the both the work and for people. A really beautiful experience all round, I most definitely recommend - ka rawe!
- Jacob
Jantè was gifted his taonga yesterday and it was full of such big feelings. I can’t thank you both enough for the time effort and love that goes into your work. you have created such a beautiful gift for our whānau. Jantè was also so stoked about the guitar pick and he tested it immediately.Sending a lot of gratitude from my whānau to yours.- Ngā mihi nui - Kayla
What folks are saying
"Thank you so much for my beautiful blue pounamu! It was love on first sight when I saw it on your website. I love stones of all kinds, be it rock or gemstones and particularly pounamu.
There are many reasons I am so happy to have this blue toki, one is because it comes from near the area I have lived myself in Nelson (even if for a short time) and another because I feel it links me to NZ and said area in a special way. Also it is important to me how things are made, it translates if they are made with love and respect and you guys do that!
The shipment arrived safely and unexpectedly quick in the UK!I can't thank you enough for this beautiful piece of art and nature in perfect harmony! Maha nga mihi."
- Aneta S, UK
"My family and I travelled to the USA to visit with extended family and wanted to take a gift from New Zealand that really had significance and meaning. Timoti made us a set of beautiful pounamu pendants for the 3 adults and 3 children in our extended family. Made from the same stone the gifting of these was received with intense emotion and really connected our family across the distance of the oceans. Our family immediately wore these and have rarely taken then off.
Knowing we are always connected in this way has been a true blessing. Thank you Timoti for creating such a meaningful and special taonga for us to share."
- M Tukana
Tell us your story
We would love to hear your story and match it to a stone and a shape for you.