Mint Maori jewellery

MAORI artist Shane Te Ruki at his Waitomo home wearing Poutama (Stairway to Heaven) and holding Pumau (Everlasting), two pieces from his Puna range manufactured and marketed by the New Zealand Mint. TC230908DT01

BY DEAN TAYLOR

When New Zealand Mint contacted Maori artist Shane Te Ruki out of the blue and asked him if he would design a jewellery range he admits he was intrigued.

He describes himself as a self-taught artist, mainly a carver, who is used to working in natural materials — wood, stone, bone, feather, flax etc. But the idea of designing contemporary Maori jewellery for manufacture in sterling silver was appealing.

Mr Te Ruki is of Ngati Maniapoto and Ngati Porou descent. He lives and works at Waitomo with his wife Tania Simpson and two sons. As well as an artist, Mr Te Ruki is a cultural advisor for his Te Kowhai Consulting Business. He also teaches at his Te Kopua Marae at Pokuru. Mr Te Ruki is currently enjoying a new creative energy — working with words. He says writing, free verse and composing music and lyrics for waiata are driving him.

His understanding of his Maoridom comes from being a student of the elders, orators and historians of his Marae. When teaching himself to carve he says he knew he was dealing with specialised knowledge and that carved items were the taonga of Maori art and therefore had to be treated with the greatest of respect.

Mr Te Ruki must have succeeded — he is one of just 38 artists nationwide to be awarded the Toi Iho Maori Made mark.

He met with NZ Mint representatives, liked their concept of designs that reflected an authenticity of Maori art and was keen to participate. They wanted seven designs— Mr Te Ruki came up with 70. He says once his creativity was flowing there was no stopping him. Eventually seven designs were selected for manufacture in two or three variations each — pendants, earrings and cuff links — a total of 20 pieces.

Mr Te Ruki describes his new Puna jewellery range as gems from beneath the surface. The range creatively mixes koru, tukutuku and kowhaiwhai designs each in itself an iconic Maori pattern that is not specific to any particular iwi. Each piece is accompanied by a story which reflects the purpose and explanation behind each design.

Director of New Zealand Mint Jewellery Chris Kirkness says the Puna range is important in that it promotes Maori art and culture in a contemporary context.

‘‘Our Maori heritage is an important part of New Zealand and who we are. We believe it is imperative to not only respect and recognise this heritage but also to foster new and exciting ways of celebrating it. Shane Te Ruki is a respected New Zealand artist, selftaught and experienced in a huge range of media. He is multi-talented and valued for his Maori music and poetry compositions in both contemporary and traditional forms. We are delighted to be able to present Shane’s Puna collection to visitors to New Zealand and New Zealand art and fashion lovers alike,’’ Mr Kirkness says.

Puna is the Maori word for a spring and Mr Te Ruki says the creative process is very much akin to a puna.

‘‘The emerging waters bring life; water is the very blood of creation and creativity. In much the same way, the Puna range has been created. Each piece of the Puna range emerged from within me, as a fusion of notions, concepts, and messages, to be released and revealed in new forms,’’ he says. ‘‘Here are the gems from beneath the surface.’’

It is New Zealand Mint’s second range of contemporary jewellery following the launch of the successful Birdland range designed by New Zealand singer-songwriter Boh Runga. Themes in the Puna range include the heart-shaped Nga Ipo (The Lovers), Hononga Connections utilising koru and kowhaiwhai patterns, Hiringa (Life and Living Loud) in tukutuku, kowhaiwhai and koru patterns.

Puna jewellery will be available from selected outlets and can be viewed at www.newzealandmintjewellery.com