Tī Kōuka toki

Tī Kīouka, the beautiful Cabbage tree (Corydline australis).    Tī Kōuka was an important tree for Māori.  The young inner leaves can be eaten both raw and cooked and were a stable food source. Its durable fibres were also used to make textiles, anchor ropes, fishing lines, baskets, waterproof rain capes, cloaks and sandals.

So you can see, Tī Kōuka was, and continues to be, a necessary and celebrated plant here in Aotearoa. And this toki is a nod to Tī Kōuka and everything they mean to Māori and Aoteroa.   Flick through the photos to get a better idea of what Tī Kōuka look like.

Tim carved Tī Kōuka in a toki shape because toki have become a symbol of strength(particularity in time of adversity), courage and fortitude as they had to be strong to endure the cutting and scraping motions of its use. Toki were also worn by elders as a symbol of power, wisdom and authority.  All these characteristics are reflected in Tī Kōuka, both the tree and the toki.

• One of a kind taonga by Timoti
• Marsden Flower Jade from Te Tai Poutini
• 59mm length x 29mm width