[{"id":158819188836,"handle":"wood-products-all","updated_at":"2025-12-13T01:03:05+13:00","published_at":"2020-04-24T10:29:02+12:00","sort_order":"price-desc","template_suffix":"","published_scope":"global","title":"Māori Inspired Wooden Gifts \u0026 Souvenirs","body_html":"\u003cp\u003eOur wood products collection features a range of carvings and décor pieces brought to life through natural timber. From traditional Māori designs to contemporary gift items, each piece is crafted with character and warmth. These wooden treasures celebrate New Zealand’s artistic heritage while offering versatile gifting options for homes, offices, and personal collections.\u003cbr\u003eFrom decorative panels to small sculptures and keepsakes, each item is selected for durability, detail, and cultural significance. Discoveries provides unique pieces carved with care and designed to inspire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWood carving has always been an important part of Māori culture. The waka(canoes) used by the Māori to travel to New Zealand were made from wood and were intricately decorated with Māori carvings to show a tribe's mana and wealth as well as for their mystical powers. They give a narrative of the tribal history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMāori wood carving traditionally used a range of native timbers, such as Kauri, Rimu, and Totara. Today some other timbers such as Mahogany, Swamp Kauri and Pine are commonly used.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach Māori wood carving tells a story and records a piece of history. Some of the popular items carved are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTiki Carving – which depicts the first man in Māori legend.\u003cbr\u003eCarved Patu or Mere – A sort of broad-bladed club weapon.\u003cbr\u003eTaiaha – A closed-quartered staff weapon used for short, sharp strikes or stabbing thrusts.\u003cbr\u003ePutorino and Porotiti – Traditional Māori wind musical instruments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday you can buy one of our Māori artworks for yourself or as a Māori gift for your friends or whanau. These items are beautiful functional works of art.\u003c\/p\u003e"},{"id":158768431204,"handle":"maori-hardwood-carvings","updated_at":"2025-12-13T01:03:05+13:00","published_at":"2020-04-23T15:53:56+12:00","sort_order":"manual","template_suffix":"","published_scope":"global","title":"Māori Wood Products","body_html":"Beautifully Hand Carved Māori Design Ornaments Kitchenware and Wall Art. Each Piece is Individually Carved from Quality Hard Wood."},{"id":158573625444,"handle":"all","title":"Shop for Kiwi Gifts \u0026 Souvenirs","updated_at":"2025-12-14T01:03:26+13:00","body_html":"Welcome to our Range of Uniquely Kiwiana Gifts, Jewellery and Souvenirs. We have something delightful for all tastes and interests","published_at":"2020-04-20T16:26:54+12:00","sort_order":"best-selling","template_suffix":"","disjunctive":false,"rules":[{"column":"variant_inventory","relation":"greater_than","condition":"0"}],"published_scope":"global"}]
This item is currently on backorder but you can still purchase it now and we'll ship as soon as more become available.
Waka Stern Trophy
Size (mm): 170 W x 200 H x 75 D
This wood carving is a beautiful piece of Mãori art, hand-carved from Mahogany wood. Ideal as an award or trophy, as the base is large enough for an engraved plaque.
The waka sternpost, or Taurapa, would have once stood vertically at the stern of a great waka taua (war canoe). Carving a waka taua took great skill, and canoe-makers acquired great mana (prestige) and reputations as priests and craftsmen for their ritual and technical expertise.
Please note, engraving is not available onsite and must be arranged separately.
Please note: As each carving is handcrafted from natural mahogany, variations in colour and wood grain patterning are to be expected—adding to the unique charm and authenticity of every piece.
