NATIVE INTELLIGENCE

Also based in Pōneke are a pair of clever pals, Amy Elizabeth Macaskill and Nicole Titihuia Hawkins of Taonga Puāwai, who design earrings in the image of New Zealand natives, before laser-cutting them out of acrylic sheets. The jewellery is cleaned, assembled, then uploaded online on a monthly basis, often related to the season — they’ll be ready with pōhutukawa for holiday dressing, for example. They also take suggestions from customers… taongapuawai.co.nz