Paraawa - Storm

Dear friend, Kia Ora

This simple Taonga is named Paraawa which means Storm. It is a combination of pounamu with a whale bone inlay.

It is based on the shape of the Tomairaki (Tōmairangi), which is reminiscent of a dew drop.

“Ka patapata iho taku whakaakoranga āno he ua, ka maturuturu iho taku kupu ano he tomairangi (tomairaki), me te ua punehunehu ki runga i te tipu hou.”

This is interpreted to “My teaching drops like rain, my words trickle forth like dew and the misty rain on new shoots”.

As such, this is an expression of great wisdom. Wisdom that guides us to inner peace and stability. This poem was gifted to me by the late Kaumātua and Tohonga Na te Upoko Runaka o Te Runaka ki Otautahi o Kai Tahu, Rev’d Maurice Manawaroa Gray MNZM, LTh,JP.

It is made from Douglas Creek pounamu which is one of my favourite stones to work with. The whale bone inlay is set in a circle representing a boundary that protects. The whale bone is a spiral which represents the eternal movements of life and depicts the dance of two becoming one. At another level, it is the eye of the storm. The safe haven from where we can watch the great storm unleash its display of great power. Great for those of us who love storm watching.