heitiki
Hei tiki, sometimes spelled hei-tiki, is a carved pendant in Māori art and one of New Zealand’s most recognizable taonga (treasures). The term refers to a stylized human figure, typically carved from pounamu (greenstone/nephrite) or bone, though early examples could be made from other materials. A classic hei tiki features a disproportionately large head, a simplified torso, folded arms across the chest, and often a smooth, legless lower body. The body is generally rounded and compact, with facial features that are simplified or abstract.
Historically, hei tiki are believed to embody ancestral presence and mana. They were worn as personal taonga,
Materials, carving styles, and regional preferences vary across iwi. In many regions, pounamu sites produced the
In modern times, many hei tiki are held in museums and private collections overseas, prompting repatriation