Nā Whakapapa mō nā Pounamu o Huiarau Range - Origins of the Pounamu of Huiarau Range

Every taonga has a story — a whakapapa that begins long before it reaches your hands. At Huiarau Range, our journey with Pounamu is one of deep respect, tikanga, and connection to whenua.

Our Pounamu is sourced in raw slab form from Te Waipounamu (the South Island), ensuring each piece remains true to its origins. We carefully select varieties such as Kawakawa, Kahurangi, and Putiputi — each known for their unique grain, strength, and wairua. These types of stone speak differently to each person, and it's important to us that every taonga we create carries its own mana.

My personal haerenga with Pounamu and Precious Kōhatu began nearly two years ago, starting with larger forms like Mau Kakī, mere, and toki. These earlier creations helped lay the foundation for my style, process, and the kaupapa that flows through Huiarau Range today.

When shaping each piece, I aim to honour both traditional and modern methods. I use sandstone tools wherever I can to grind and shape the taonga in ways our tūpuna once did. Alongside this, I also use small hand dremmels and diamond cutters, which allow me to work with precision on smaller details. Because of this mix of methods, each piece will often carry a raw, imperfect beauty — no two are the same, and that's exactly how I believe they should be.

Before a piece is ever sent off to its new home, it is blessed with karakia, to clear the energy, honour the journey it has taken, and prepare it for its forever home. This is a deeply important part of the process for me — returning mauri and grounding the taonga with aroha and intention.

Huiarau Range is more than a brand — it is a vessel for storytelling, whakapapa, and taonga tuku iho. Every Pounamu carries a part of the whenua, and a piece of my journey too.

Ngā mihi nui for walking alongside this kaupapa.

Na,

Cassia Waiariki - Kaipōwhatu me Kaitohu o Huiarau Range