About Tīaho Jewellery

We use natural pounamu sourced from Aotearoa, paired with high-quality sterling silver or gold. Our cords are durable and suitable for daily wear, but can be re-bound if needed.

Yes - every taonga at Tīaho is handcrafted with care and intention. This means each piece is unique, and subtle variations in texture, stone colour, or shape are part of its beauty.

Yes, we ship both within Aotearoa and internationally. All parcels are tracked, and shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on your location.

If your taonga isn’t quite right, you're welcome to return it within 14 days, unused and in its original condition. Visit our Returns Policy page for full details.

We do not offer resizing, so it’s important to confirm your ring size before purchasing. You can visit your local jeweller or check our Ring Sizing Guide for help.

At this stage, we focus on ready-to-ship taonga, but feel free to get in touch if you have a special request - we may be able to accommodate depending on availability.

Yes - we offer repairs and cord rebinding for taonga made by us. Please contact us directly and we’ll guide you through the process.

There is a common belief that pounamu should only be received as a gift - and while gifting is a deeply meaningful tradition, it is also absolutely appropriate to choose and purchase a taonga for yourself.

In te ao Māori, pounamu is a taonga (treasure) with its own mauri (life force). If you feel drawn to a piece, it’s often said that it’s choosing you. Purchasing a taonga for yourself can mark a personal milestone, a time of healing, or a connection to whakapapa or whenua.

Whether gifted or self-chosen, the most important thing is the intention behind the piece, and how it is carried and cared for.

The best way to choose a taonga is to listen to your intuition. Each piece of pounamu carries its own energy, shape, and kōrero - and often, the right one will naturally stand out to you.

You may feel drawn to the meaning behind a particular design, the shape, the type of stone, or the story it holds. Some people are guided by whakapapa or wairua, others by the person they are choosing it for.

There is no wrong way - your connection to the taonga is what gives it life.

Gifting pounamu is a powerful gesture - one that carries deep meaning, aroha, and connection. Traditionally, taonga like pounamu are given to mark significant moments in a person’s life:

• Birthdays or milestones

• Graduation or achievements

• Loss, grief, or healing

• New journeys - such as travel, moving, or personal transformation

• Whānaungatanga - strengthening relationships between friends, family, or partners

When you gift pounamu, you're not just giving a beautiful object - you're passing on protection, wairua, and a symbol of your relationship with that person.

While not a strict requirement, it is customary in te ao Māori to whakawātea or clear a taonga - especially pounamu - before it is worn or gifted.

At Tīaho, we whakawātea each piece before it leaves us, to honour the mauri (life force) of the taonga and ensure it enters the next chapter of its journey with light and intention.

If you feel called to do a personal blessing or cleansing, this can be as simple as:

• Holding your taonga with karakia or quiet intention

• Washing it in a natural water source (like a river, moana, or rainwater)

• Taking a moment of silence and gratitude before wearing or gifting it

Your own energy and care are part of what continues the story of each taonga.