Kawakawa is named after the tree, whose leaves are a rich green and heart shaped. IT is characterised by its dense appearance. Only translucent at the extreme edge or, if thinly sliced, when held up to a strong light. It was historically considered too dark for jewellery but because it’s the strongest of all varieties was used frequently for tools such as Toki’s (adzes) and Patu’s (clubs). Some types of Kawakawa exhibit beautiful orange-brownish colourations which are often referred to as Waimea Stone.
