Raw Suspension Toki in Tangiwai

Suspension toki. Tim was born and raised way up Tauwhareparae rd, in Uawa (Tolaga Bay).  Every day, travelling in and out of the valley to school, he had to cross 4 wire suspension bridges.  They were an integral part of his home and his childhood. 

As tamariki, they would climb the wire cables. Crawling out on the concrete towers, they would  scratch their names into the concrete using rocks. To this day, 50 years later, the names of Tim’s whanau are still visible on these bridge towers. 

Reminiscing one day, Tim was reminded of all the joys of the suspension bridge.  And the Suspension Toki was born.  Created to pay homage to the simple and enduring design of the suspension bridge, a beloved feature throughout Aotearoa. 

Suspension Bridges are beautiful man-made structures. So much more character and style than a flat concrete bridge! An incredible feat of engineering.  

And so we bring you the Suspension Toki.  A nod to humanities engineering prowess, from the ancient and enduring stone arts of toki making to the modern engineering constructions.

Te Tau Ihu Aotearoa has the oldest pounamu that is full of unique colours, patterns and character. This deep, dark Tangiwai is one of those Te Tau Ihu delights.  When you hold it up to the light it glows around the edges. You can see a little peek of this in the photos.

Tim also left one side raw so you can see and feel the natural beauty of pounamu in this piece.

Tim carves these by sight and feel, no rule lines here! He says it’s the only to carve the wairua into the taonga.

• One of a kind taonga by Timoti
• Kawakawa pounamu from Te Tai Poutini
• 79mm length x 20mm width