Raukatauri – pounamu pebble

This taonga is made from one whole pebble that Tim found while wandering the awa. It just looked to him like a case moth. Have you ever seen one of those on a twig or the roof edge of your whare?

The bag worm constructs its bag of silk shortly after it hatches and then drags the bag around with it for camouflage and protection.  When it is ready to pupate the bag worm secures the bag to a twig, seals it up and pupates within the bag. They are such beautiful wee homes. Made up with soft silk covered with bits of leaf and bark. I remember finding them as a child and hoping they might contain gold dust or some other kind of fairy treasure.

But even better than that, according to Māori tradition, the cocoon is the transformation of Raukatauri, the Māori atua of music. Her shape is said to have inspired the shape of the pūtōrino. The Pūtōrino is a flute unique to the Māori and has an ethereal enchanting sound. You can see and hear one being played by Richard Nunns here.

With its raw edge and rounded shape, this taonga is lovely to hold on to, very soothing and grounding. It would be a lovely gift for someone who gets anxious and needs something to hang on to to calm them down. Or a great taonga for the person in your life who is has a love of taonga puōro (singing treasures).

Kia kawea tātou e te rēhia

Let us be taken by the spirit of joy, of entertainment

• Kokopu pounamu from Te Tau Ihu.
• Length 97mm x 15mm widest point.
• A one-of-a-kind taonga by Timoti.

💚Now every taonga you purchase helps us to carve a taonga for EVERY tamariki in care in Aotearoa. You can read more about our Tū Māia project here. Ngā mihi mahana for your support of this kaupapa!💚