Description
The Meaning of the Toki
Traditionally, a Toki (Adze) was an everyday tool used by Māori for different woodworking tasks, such as felling trees, hollowing out waka (canoes), and constructing houses and wharenui (Māori communal houses). Using abrasion techniques, Māori would painstakingly carve an adze from pounamu and lash it to a wooden handle using natural materials such as harakeke (flax). It was then swung powerfully to cut wood.
Māori were skilful woodworkers, and as they did not have metal, pounamu served well as a woodcutting tool because of its exceptional toughness and ability to retain a hard, sharp cutting edge. For this reason, the Toki holds great significance and meaning in Māori culture as a powerful symbol of strength and power.
Raukaraka Pounamu
Size
113mm Long
50mm Wide
