Changing Tides

Ko Takitimu toku waka
Ko ngaruroro toku awa
Ko whanganui ā tara toku maunga
Ko ngăti Kahungunu toku iwi
Ko ngāti Hikatoa toku hapu
Ko Waimārama toku hau kainga
Ko Aroha Te kahika toku ingoa
Tihei Maori ora

Aroha Te Kahika, aka Changing Tides, is a registered artisan carver with Ngai Tahu based in Waimārama, Hawkes Bay. He has been carving pounamu for several years and draws inspiration from places that ground him, like the ngahere (bush) and the moana (ocean). The kohatu (stone) that he uses are sourced from rivers and mountain ranges in the South Island of Aotearoa. He considers it an honour to work with pounamu and uses it as a tool to channel his tīpuna.

When he is not carving, he is diving, fishing, surfing, hunting, and camping with his three tamariki. He also spends time in his maara kai (garden) connecting with taiao (the natural world).