A Taonga of Strength & Connection

Hei Tiki - The Most Treasured Māori Designs

Carved in human form, Hei Tiki symbolises ancestry, protection, and identity. Passed through generations, it is worn as a sign of strength, guidance, and cultural respect.

What is the Meaning Behind Hei Tiki

Have you ever felt the cool weight of pounamu and wondered about the story it carries?

In Aotearoa, greenstone holds mauri (life force) and mana (prestige, spiritual power). Hei Tiki is one of the most enduring expressions of these qualities, a pendant that bridges past, present, and future.

The name comes from two Māori words: hei — to wear around the neck, and tiki — a carved human form. Traditionally, older toki pounamu (adzes) were reshaped into hei tiki, preserving the mana of the stone and transforming it into a taonga to be passed through generations.

“He taonga tuku iho.”

A treasure handed down

Hei Tiki Symbolism

Hei Tiki carries layers of meaning that connect deeply to Māori culture and values. Each design embodies qualities that have guided and protected people for generations.

  • Whakapapa & tūpuna (ancestors): A connection to genealogy and heritage, often carried as a whānau heirloom.
  • Fertility & new life: Many forms resemble an unborn child, symbolising new beginnings and protection.
  • Mana & strength: Highly prized, Hei Tiki represents spiritual power and identity, historically worn by rangatira (chiefs).

Origins & Legacy

Some traditions link the tiki figure to Tiki, the first human in Māori mythology. Others see it as a vessel of ancestral presence and guidance. Across iwi, Hei Tiki embodies mana (prestige, strength), kaitiakitanga (guardianship), and whanaungatanga (connection).

Hei Tiki continues to hold a vital place in Aotearoa today. Many are whānau heirlooms, passed through generations, while contemporary carvers create new works that honour tradition and adapt to modern artistry.

According to our whānau relative, the late Russell Beck — a respected authority on pounamu: “Each piece of greenstone gathers its own spirit as it is carved, worn, and passed on.”

Gifting Hei Tiki

Gifting a Hei Tiki is a profound act of aroha (love) and respect. Whether for a birth, wedding, graduation, or milestone, it represents care, protection, and the wish for guidance. To gift Hei Tiki is to share a taonga that carries both story and meaning.

Honouring Tradition & Embracing the Future

From its Polynesian roots to its central place in Aotearoa, Hei Tiki is more than jewellery, it is a legacy. Worn close to the heart, it carries whakapapa, protective energies, and the ties that connect past, present, and future.

At Arrowtown Stonework, we proudly showcase Hei Tiki carved by skilled artists and storytellers from across Aotearoa. Each piece is created to honour tradition while connecting with the personal story of its wearer.

Caring For Your Pounamu

  • Durability – Pounamu (greenstone) is strong but can chip if dropped or knocked against hard surfaces. Handle with care.
  • Protection – Store carefully, keeping it away from hard or abrasive objects.
  • Wear Often – Daily wear deepens its lustre as the stone absorbs your skin’s natural oils. The cord will eventually wear; visit our website for traditional re-binding.
  • Cleaning – Wipe with a soft, damp cloth and mild soap. Occasionally nourish with a touch of beeswax or coconut oil. Avoid harsh chemicals.
    Water & Cord – Swimming or showering won’t harm the stone, but chlorinated or salt water ages the cord faster. Rinse with fresh water, dry thoroughly, and expect to re-bind sooner (we can rebind for you with our pounamu rebinding services).

Frequently Asked Questions

Carved from pounamu in human form, Hei Tiki symbolises ancestry, protection, and identity. A treasured taonga, it represents strength, guidance, and connection across generations.

A Hei Tiki pendant can be worn by men, women, and young people. It resonates with those stepping into leadership, navigating change, drawn to the sea, or recognised as protectors and providers.

Your pendant arrives unblessed, allowing you the freedom to follow your own tikanga (custom). A blessing is the personal act of imparting spiritual or symbolic meaning to your taonga. (See guidance below for blessing your pounamu.)

Many people like to offer a simple blessing, especially when the taonga is a gift, while others prefer to begin wearing it straight away and let its meaning grow naturally over time. There’s no single right way. Follow whatever feels respectful and comfortable for you. If you’d like to include a blessing, the suggestions below can help guide the moment.

Awa (Water) Blessing

  • Find flowing water such as a river, stream, or the sea.
  • Hold the pendant in the current and speak a simple wish in your own words (e.g., “May this taonga keep you safe on every journey”). Let the water wash over it for a few moments, then dry it gently.

Shared Intention

  • Hold the pounamu together with the recipient.
  • Voice the hopes you have—protection, strength, safe passage.
  • This shared moment of intention is a blessing in itself.

Karakia with a Kaumātua

  • Ask a local kaumātua (elder) or visit a marae.
  • They can offer a short karakia (prayer) and guidance on caring for the stone.

Whichever path you take, or if you decide to skip a formal blessing entirely, the pounamu will carry the meaning and respect you give it.

Āe (yes). Throughout history pounamu was both traded and gifted. Choosing a piece for yourself is a powerful act of self-care, connecting you to the wairua (spirit) of Aotearoa and the generations who have treasured this stone.

Discover Our Hei Tiki Collection

Every Hei Tiki is unique, shaped by the stone’s natural colour, translucence, and grain. Each pendant is a pounamu taonga that carries meaning, strength, and connection for the wearer.

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