Tapatoru Maunga Toki te Tahi

With its snowy white rind, this toki is just, well, beautiful! And there is something quite perfect about a tapatoru(triangle).

Amongst other things, tapatoru can represent the niho taniwha(teeth of the taniwha) and maunga.

Combined with the symbolism of a toki and the maunga this taonga is a strong piece.

Toki had to be strong to endure the cutting and scraping motions of its use.  Therefore it has come to be a symbol of strength(particularity in time of adversity), courage and fortitude. Toki were also worn by elders as a symbol of power, wisdom and authority.

The maunga are strong and resilient, they can be shaken but will not break.  They are shaped over millennia by weathering, just as we are shaped by our life experiences.  The qualities of maunga are timelessness, strength, fortitude, power, beauty, inspiration and honesty(maunga are unchanging).

The maunga are the first landmark recognised in Maunga in ones pepeha.  They are the heights of the feminine beauty of Papatūānuku and her tendrils of love reaching high for Ranginui.

Maunga are also the entranceway into Papatūānuku.  Maunga bring emotional stability and strength, for the roots of a maunga go deeper then it’s height, down into the very heart of Papatūānuku.

Tapatoru are used extensively in Māori weaving from tukutuku and tāniko to kete and korowai and as such has become a prominent symbol of te ao Māori.

Tim carved this taonga as a pair, you can view Tapatoru Maunga Toki e Rua here.  Perhaps a pair for sister, parent and child or maybe two best friends?  Stay connected through the taonga.

• One of a kind taonga by Timoti
• Tangiwai pounamu from Te Tau Ihu
• 96mm length x 29mm width