Kapeu and kuru – ear pendants

Kapeu ear pendants have curved lower ends. Kuru – made from thin off-cuts of pounamu – are long and straight.

For Māori, the head is the most tapu (sacred) part of the body. Ornaments worn on or near the head, like kapeu and kuru, take on its tapu state.

Kapeu are also ideal for rubbing on the gums of babies to soothe the pain of new teeth.