Every culture has symbols that feel like home, and for me, the piwakawaka—the New Zealand fantail—has always carried that feeling. These little birds are lively, curious, and wonderfully social. They flit around people without hesitation, chirping and flashing their fan-shaped tails as if greeting you personally. In Māori tradition, they are considered messengers, and their presence often carries meaning. When I turned this bowl from kauri, another deeply rooted symbol of Aotearoa, the connection felt immediate.
Kauri is a rare and culturally significant timber. Ancient kauri forests once covered large parts of New Zealand, and although the trees still exist today, they are protected, making kauri a precious material for artisans. Its grain is gentle and luminous, shifting between honeyed gold and soft amber. Even in smaller pieces like this bowl, kauri carries a quiet dignity—a reminder of the deep forests and long history of the land I grew up in.
As I shaped this piece in my workshop in Carcassonne, I kept the form simple and open, allowing the kauri’s natural grain to speak for itself. The wood responds beautifully to the gouge, producing a smooth, even surface that feels warm under the hand. Finished with hard wax oil, the bowl retains its organic nature—no plastic, no synthetic varnish—just a natural sheen that honours the timber’s authenticity.
The name Piwakawaka is my personal tribute to the friendly spirit of New Zealand. These birds often appear when you least expect them, fluttering close as if checking in on you. They remind me of the welcoming nature of the people I grew up among, and of the joy found in small, everyday encounters. Pairing their name with kauri felt right: both are gentle, iconic, and deeply tied to the heritage of Aotearoa.
Whether you use this bowl for serving, display it as a piece of collectible wood art, or simply keep it close as a quiet reminder of nature’s presence, it carries a story of home, culture, and craftsmanship. If its spirit resonates with you, I invite you to explore the other kauri pieces I’ve shaped with the same care.
Diameter: 18cm Height: 6cm Weight: 260g
