Roimata Toroa – Large Kokopu Pounamu Necklace

Carved in a beautiful and rare dendritic Kokopu pounamu with the stunning orange rind, this is a truly unique taonga by Timoti.  The dendrites are like little fireworks inside the stone.  The dendrites are formed over millions of years as the Pounamu sits in a mineral bath and those mineral slowly seep into tiny fractures and spaces between the layers of the stone.  It is really quite incredible when you think about it.  Tim found this small  Kokopu stone a few years back and this is the absolute last piece of it. So, If you love the look of this pounamu don’t hesitate! It is a very rare find and we will be lucky if we ever find another like it.

Tim kept this roimata slim so it is light to wear. He also left the kiri(skin) on the outside edge, so you can see and feel the outer layer of the pounamu.  One edge is a little sharper, so you could even use it to soften harakeke if you like.

Roimata Toroa is the tears cried by two sacred albatross that accompanied Pourangahua to Aotearoa. Pourangahua was an agriculturist travelling to Aotearoa to grow kumara. The kumara were gifted to him by Ruakapanga, a tohunga and learned scientist.  Ruakapanga lent Pourangahua two pet albatrosses to accompany him on his journey. He gave him strict instructions on how to care for the birds, and a karakia to give thanksgiving for their safe return. However, in his hurry to see his wife Kaniowai, Pourangahua took a shortcut, ran into a taniwha, forgot the karakia and failed to care for the birds. Consequently, this led to the bird’s grief and eventual demise. Upon realising that he had dishonoured Ruakapanga, Pourangahua tries to cover his mistake. He belatedly spoke the karakia, but it was too late. The damage was done, the toroa were weak and abused.  They flew back to Ruakapanga. He was furious when he saw the state of his beloved toroa. In his anger, he cursed the kumara with a blight that can wreak havoc to an entire years crop.

This story comes from Tim’s Te Tairawhiti Ngati Porou whakapapa.  The Roimata Toroa speaks of the importance of following tikanga and respecting the wisdom of those who are here to help us on our journey.  Roimata Toroa also symbolises a deep unabiding sorrow, as that felt by Pourangahua for his mistakes.  Moreover, Roimata Toroa symbolises an unbreakable love, like the love Ruakapanga felt for his taonga toroa.

• Kokopu Pounamu from Te Tau Ihu awa
• Length: 104mm x 63mm
• One of a kind taonga 

💚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!💚