Carved Pounamu Manaia Pendant

Deane Moreton learnt his craft working alongside his father in the family Pounamu business. Now with over 40 years’ experience in sourcing and handcrafting New Zealand Pounamu, Deane is highly regarded as one of New Zealand’s leading experts in the industry. His carvings and jewellery are the perfect blend of tradition Maori design and contemporary works inspired by Aotearoa’s rich culture and natural beauty.

Deane’s studios in Christchurch and on the West Coast, boast collaborations with some of New Zealand’s most renowned Pounamu and Bone Carvers. Deane teaches and develops young carvers, ensuring that the skills of carving and its traditions are passed down to the next generation of Greenstone carvers.

Deane has acquired an enviable collection of exquisite carvings and has arguably the largest personal collection of raw material, of which pounamu carvings will be made for years to come.

This exquisite carving is a Manaia, a powerful spiritual guardian in the form of a Tiki profile. It represents duality, existing both in the physical and spiritual realms. The intricately designed Manaia can also be combined with other symbols, adding layers of meaning and personalized expression. This specific piece, 'Awakening Mind of Wholeness', embodies the idea of complete and enlightened consciousness.

With the head of a bird, the body of a man, and the tail of a fish, the manaia represents the sky, the earth, and the sea. They are said to offer balance and protection.