Natural Niho | Haylie Fry

'Natural Niho' A beautiful stone this niho chest piece was left in its natural state, polished and strung by Haylie Fry. This pounamu taonga is carved from raw pounamu stone, sourced from the Arahura River, Te Tai Poutini (Te Tai Poutini describes the Westcoast region of the South Island of New Zealand including Buller, Grey and Westland District councils).

Niho represents strength and guardianship
Dimensions: 65mm x 52mm with adjustable ringbolt lashing black 3 braid cord.

Te Tai Poutini meaning - The tides of Poutini (Maōri mythology)

Poutini (a Guardian taniwha) swam to the coast and ever since he has cruised its waters as the kaitiaki, guardian spirit, of the land and its sacred stone, giving the westcoast  its name as Te Tai Poutini, 'The tides of Poutini'.

Artist Bio

South Island artist, Haylie Fry works from her Westcoast studio in Kawatiri (Westport). A self taught carver, with a deep love for her whanau, being creative and the spiritual connection of Pounamu. Her whakapapa in Aotearoa has strong roots in Motueka, Tai Tokerau and Te Tai Poutini. Through her upbringing in these areas she has developed a bond with te moana me te awa. Her connection with water guided her on the journey of exploring the treasures that come from such places and she naturally began to move towards appreciating and eventually working with kohatu. Working within the framework of kaitiakitanga (guardianship), wairuatanga (spiritual connection) and whanaungatanga (connection). These values are at the heart of her kaupapa (Purpose) the journey is one of both receiving and giving. Part of her giving back is to support her community, and her tamariki, who whakapapa to Ngai Tahu, to connect with te ao Maori through mahi toi.