Ordered the flax kete to go with a pendant as a gift. Beautifully made and packaged. Would definitely get one again.
Weaving Tradition
Woven from harakeke (New Zealand flax) by our local weaver, this kete offers a meaningful way to keep and carry cherished items. It represents the craftsmanship of flax weaving and the cultural heritage and wisdom passed down through generations.
A Container of Knowledge Symbolism & Meaning
Kete are traditional carrying baskets woven from plant materials. Lete are an integral part of Māori culture. Though practical, kete symbolises a container of knowledge and wisdom, reflecting the resilience of Māori people.
What our customers think
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.9 / 5 from 55 reviews.
Beautiful products Exceptional packed Quick delivery
Love the taonga and the Kete. Would like to see an option for a lid in future so it protects the gift before it is given to be worn by the person.
Can highly recommend. Lindsey could not have been more helpful and her suggestions for wedding gift taking to UK were perfect and exceeded my expectations on arrival.
This little flex masterpiece is perfect for storing your bracelets. I absolutely love it. Super grateful
I’m very happy with my Notched Toki Hapopo Pounamu Pendant. The pounamu has a beautiful natural green colour, and the carving and black binding are finished to a high standard. The medium size is just right, and it has a strong presence when worn without feeling too large or heavy. It arrived safely and was well presented. A meaningful piece that I’ll be proud to wear. Highly recommended.
Prompt service, delivered quickly. Lovely Kete will be buying more 😊👌
Thank you so much. This was a koha to one of our kaiako who is taking on a new teaching journey. We as team wanted to give her a gift that represented love from us but also give her the courage to keep reaching for her goals and also to also have us nesr to her. And this pounamu not only is absolutely stunning and exceeded our expectations but meet everything we were hoping to give her. Thank you so much
Perfect place for necklace or small things not to be lost Like that it’s made in NZ
Absolutely loved our items for our son! Such amazing quality
Tino ataahua nga taonga katoa.
Receiving the earnings in the kete added a very nice touch. Arohanui!
M
I like it
I have place at night to put my heart pounamu. Thank you
Fast delivery and great product. It’s a gift and hasn’t been given yet, but as the gift giver, I am very happy
These are for my two grandsons, one is 1 years old 6 Dec, the other is 2 weeks old. I absolutely loved my pei toki pounamu with the tan binding and beautifully placed in the flax kete. The complete packaging was well presented. My work colleagues were blown away with my parcels. I just had one card that had 'Happy 1st Xmas Autaia.' This is her second xmas. I am ordering more but could i have a new card for Autaia just saying 'Merry Xmas Miss Autaia.' Love Nan and Koro xx
Simply perfect
Is small, beautifully made and perfect :)
Beautifully packaged and quick delivery!
Quick & easy to order on line. Delivery is good. Love the products.
It is the nest for the gorgeous taonga we will be gifting our daughter today when we meet to acknowledge her huge achievement in completing police college training as Top of Wing - for a wahine toa with such such mana nothing but the best will say how proud we feel.
My friend loved his bracket and kete, thank you so much, it is a very beautiful piece ✨✨✨✨
I purchased this as a gift for our newborn grandson, our daughter thought the kite presentation was beautiful.
Great item however unfortunately the item was posted without a care card, information card or item box so Kete basket was crushed when it arrived. For the price of the item receiving it having been packed in slightly better condition or an info card would have gone a long way. 😊
Beautiful
Love the wee kete, thank you
Thank you very easy to deal with ☺️
Such a wonderful little bed for my Toki Adze - it keeps it safe when I put it on the granite countertop! And it’s a nice aesthetic choice for my nightstand as well…
Beautiful gift. Can't wait to give it to the recipient.
Not good quality for the additional price. Looks cheap
Purchased to go with a wedding gift. Was freshly made and beautifully constructed. 😍
Loved my purchases for my granddaughter. Arrived in time for Christmas...speedy delivery indeed
Very pleased and impressed with the service. Will definitely consider another purchase in the future.
It is so lovely and great to keep my beautiful Greenstone in 🧡🧡
Awesome fast service thank you very much
I bought these for my wife for our 25th wedding anniversary. She absolutely loved them! The engraving in Māori that you guys did on them was perfect, 👌🏻 Will definitely look at purchasing from you again in the future 😊 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Beautiful handcrafted and fitting as a gift option!
I am now loving in Abu Dhabi and cannot believe the speed of delivery and the quality of the taonga. So happy. Arohanui team 😊
Very pleased with the bracelet we received for our nephews 21st in Scotland😊
FAQs
We respect your choice and do not bless our finished pounamu pieces. However, we encourage those who purchase to consider blessing it before gifting. Please see the answer below regarding "How can I bless pounamu."
Blessing pounamu is a personal choice often associated with gifting to someone close. Seek guidance from a Kaumatua or local Marae for traditional practices. Alternatively, you can honor tradition by cleansing the pounamu in a river or stream with a karakia (prayer), or by blessing it with the recipient to share your intentions. These methods allow for meaningful engagement with pounamu according to personal beliefs and connections.
Yes, you can buy pounamu for yourself without cultural taboo. In Māori history, pounamu was both a cherished gift and a traded commodity among tribes, symbolizing honor, respect, and enduring value. Whether purchased or received, owning a pounamu taonga carries deep spiritual significance, enhancing personal mana (spiritual life force) and connecting past traditions with the present. Whether for yourself or as a gift to friends or loved ones, the choice that feels meaningful to you is important.
Each river-tumbled pounamu bracelet is uniquely shaped and colored, showcasing its natural beauty. During checkout, you can leave a note for our whānau specifying your preferences for the bracelet's shape or color, and we'll do our best to accommodate your request.
Each Māori design carries unique cultural significance:
- Koru: New beginnings, growth, harmony
- Toki: Strength, resilience, wisdom
- Pounamu Bracelet: Connection, protection, unity
- Hei Matau: Prosperity, strength, safe journeys
- Pikorua: Aroha (love), enduring bonds, life's cycles
- Roimata: Healing, empathy, connection
- Porowhita: Life cycle, harmony, interconnectedness
- Whale’s Tail & Niho: Guardianship, intelligence, aroha
- Manaia & Breastplate: Protection, balance, resilience
Each item purchased comes with its own individual meaning card. Learn more about their stories and meanings here.
Each pounamu pendant or bracelet is carefully packaged with its meaning and care cards to ensure it arrives in perfect condition. Your purchase includes:
- An individual meaning card explaining the cultural significance of the chosen design
- A care card with instructions on maintaining your pounamu
- A protective linen eco pouch for bracelets or a certified eco box for pendants
- Secure packaging in a recyclable shipping box made from recycled materials
Upgrades and Additional Options:
You can add these upgrades on the product page:
- Gift Wrapping: Optional gift wrapping with a personal handwritten tag.
- Kete Packaging: Display your pounamu in a traditional kete (flax basket).
Yes, we offer a re-binding service for your treasured pendant or bracelet using expertly hand-woven binding. Renew your valued piece by purchasing our re-binding services here and sending it to our Arrowtown workshop.
If you have a special request for your engraving that isn't covered in the standard options, such as additional characters or a unique symbol, please contact us via email at hello@arrowtownstonework.co.nz.
We will do our best to accommodate your personalised pounamu request
Celebrate Treasured Moments with Pounamu
Celebrate Treasured Moments with Pounamu
Over 35 Years of Greenstone Carving in Arrowtown
Over 35 Years of Greenstone Carving in Arrowtown
Our whānau workshop, led by my father, a master carver from Ngāti Kahungunu, carves and shapes traditional Māori designs that celebrate meaning and connection with friends, whānau, or loved ones.
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