Pounamu — The Living Stone: Discover the Dale Borland Collection
July 15, 20265 min read
There are few things in this world as quietly powerful as a piece of pounamu held in the palm of your hand. Green, cool, and luminous — New Zealand greenstone carries within it thousands of years of cultural meaning, geological time, and a connection to a land unlike any other. At Cove, we are proud to carry the work of Dale Borland, one of New Zealand's most respected pounamu carvers, whose pieces bring this ancient tradition into the present.
What is Pounamu?
Pounamu — also known as New Zealand greenstone or nephrite jade — is found only in the riverbeds and mountains of New Zealand's South Island, Te Wai Pounamu (The Waters of Greenstone). For Māori, it is among the most precious of all taonga (treasures), gifted between people to mark the most significant moments of life: birth, love, safe passage, and the bonds between generations. Each piece is believed to gather the wairua (spirit) of those who wear it over time.
Genuine South Island pounamu is not mined commercially — it is gathered with care from the land, and every stone is unique. No two pieces are the same, which is precisely what makes wearing pounamu such a personal experience.
About Dale Borland
Dale Borland has been working with pounamu for decades, developing a deep respect for the stone and the carving traditions it carries. His pieces are shaped from genuine South Island greenstone, each one finished by hand and offered with the cultural knowledge that makes them more than jewellery — they are taonga in the truest sense. We're proud that Cove is now stocking his refreshed and updated collection.
The Forms and Their Meanings
One of the most meaningful aspects of choosing pounamu is selecting a form that speaks to you. Each carving shape has a distinct history and significance in Māori tradition. Here is a guide to the pieces currently available in our collection.
The Toki — Strength & Clarity of Purpose
The toki (adze) was one of the most important tools in Māori culture — used to shape wood, build waka (canoes), and carve meeting houses. Worn as a pendant, the toki represents strength, authority, and clarity of purpose. It is a form often gifted to mark the beginning of a significant undertaking.
Our collection includes the toki across a wide range of sizes. The Baby Toki 25mm is a delicate, wearable entry point, while the Toki 40mm and Toki 45mm offer everyday versatility. For a more commanding presence, the Toki 65mm and bold Toki 75mm make a true statement. Those drawn to a hybrid form will love the Toki Round pendants — available in 30mm, 40mm, and 45mm — blending the strength of the toki with the wholeness of the disc.
The Koru — New Beginnings
Perhaps the most universally recognised symbol in New Zealand art, the koru is modelled on the unfurling frond of the silver fern. It represents new life, growth, and the energy of beginnings — making it one of the most meaningful gifts for someone starting a new chapter.
The Koru Pendant 25mm is a delicate, wearable expression of this form, while the Koru Pendant 40mm is more generous and striking. For something that weaves two symbols together, the Heart Koru pendants combine the koru with the universal language of love — available in 25mm, 35mm, and the striking 55mm.
The Hei Matau — Safe Travels & Abundance
The hei matau (fishhook) is one of the oldest and most powerful carving forms in Māori taonga. Fish were the lifeblood of coastal communities, and the hook represented prosperity, good health, and safe passage over water. It is a particularly meaningful gift for someone about to travel or begin a new adventure.
Dale's hook pieces are beautifully carved, from the classic Fishhook Pendant 40mm and the elegant Carving Hook 42mm, to the bold Pendant Hook 40mm. For the most layered expression of this motif, the Hook with Koru 51mm combines two of the most powerful symbols in Māori art in a single extraordinary piece.
The Twist — Eternal Bonds
The twist — or pikorua — represents two paths that intertwine through life's journey, always returning to one another. It is one of the most beloved gift choices for couples, close friendships, and family bonds. The beauty of the twist is in its movement: no matter how it turns, the two paths never separate.
The Twist Pendant 40mm is a single twist of exceptional clarity and beauty. The extraordinary Triple Twist Pendant 50mm represents three lives and three paths — a remarkable piece for someone celebrating family or a deep, enduring friendship.
The Tiki — Identity & Protection
The hei tiki is among the most recognisable of all pounamu carvings and one of the most spiritually significant. Representing the human form and the ancestors, the tiki is worn as a symbol of identity, cultural pride, and protection. The Tiki Pendant in our collection is carved from rich South Island pounamu — a true taonga in every sense.
The Heart — Love & Warmth
Shaped after the universal symbol of love, pounamu heart pendants carry the luminous beauty of greenstone into the most personal of gestures. The Heart Pendant 24mm is sweet and subtle, perfect for everyday wear, while the Heart Pendant 32mm makes more of a presence.
The Whale Tail — Power & Ocean Spirit
The whale tail honours the tōhora (whale), one of New Zealand's most beloved ocean creatures and a figure of immense strength, wisdom, and spiritual significance in Māori culture. It speaks of a deep connection to the sea and the natural world. Choose from the Whale Tail Pendant 32mm or the newly added Whale Tail Pendant 30mm.
The Disc — Wholeness & Harmony
The disc is one of the purest expressions of pounamu — no carved motif, just the stone in its most essential form. It represents wholeness, harmony, and the completeness of the self. The Disc Pendant 30mm is a timeless, wearable piece that lets the stone speak entirely for itself.
The Tooth — Raw Natural Power
Modelled after a tooth — one of nature's most primal forms — this carving speaks of raw strength and an instinctive connection to the natural world. The Tooth Pendant 45mm is a bold, powerful statement in genuine South Island pounamu.
Pounamu Earrings
The Dale Borland collection extends beautifully into earrings — each pair handcrafted from genuine South Island greenstone and shaped into iconic Māori motifs. Whether you prefer subtle everyday wear or a bold statement, there is a pair in this collection for you.
The right pounamu is often the one you are drawn to without quite knowing why. Māori tradition holds that pounamu chooses its wearer as much as the wearer chooses it. But if you would like some guidance, consider what resonates: strength and purpose (toki), new beginnings (koru), safe travels (hei matau), eternal bonds (twist), identity (tiki), love (heart), or connection to the ocean (whale tail or shark's tooth).
Pounamu is also one of the most meaningful gifts you can give. A piece worn close to the heart, or passed down through a family, becomes more precious with time — gathering the stories of every life it touches.
