Hei named "Niho Taniwha"

Niho Taniwha, a pendant carved by Stacy Gordine (Ngāti Porou) in 2020.

Niho Taniwha is a continuation in a series of works carved by Stacy Gordine. This series started as part of a personal research and study undertaken by Gordine that focused on the conceptualisation and exploration into Māori and pacific people’s replication of natural forms in a variety of materials for personal adornment. Through his exploration, Stacy has utilised a variety of materials including cattle bone, whalebone, pounamu, and jade. His current use of pearl shell is the result of a research trip to Tahiti that he undertook in 2017 in order to study carving. The shell utilised for Niho Taniwha was gifted to him on this trip and is a tangible expression of connection of Māori to the pacific.

When asked how the megalodon forms of his current carving practice developed, Stacy stated:

I started with making oversized shark teeth of various species such as Great White, Mako and Tiger sharks, which in turn lead on to Megalodon forms as seen in this piece.

Stacy Gordine, 2020

Mangō (sharks) are significant to Māori and there are many proverbs that speak of their qualities. Stacy Gordine’s work pays homage to the past in which sharks were treated with the utmost respect and admiration.

I reflect on the present day where some of mankind have forgotten this relationship and respect, to the point of killing millions each year. A beautiful species unchanged for millions of years, keeper of the balance of the oceans is treated disrespectfully, a sad indictment on our species. Hopefully we can return to a place admiration, respect and connection with the natural world.

Stacy Gordine, 2020

The theme of Niho Taniwha evolved directly from Stacy’s work with the megalodon form. To Stacy Gordine these oversized shark teeth could be described or likened to the teeth of a taniwha.