Matakana Carving
Words Olivia Freestone
Tucked behind the horse stables at Matakana Country Park, a new studio has emerged, offering hands-on pounamu carving workshops.
Local couple Steffan and Jaci are excited to create a permanent space where they can share their passion for the craft with the community. Jaci has been a familiar face at the Matakana markets, selling their pounamu designs and taonga at a small stall for many years. Now, inspired to share their knowledge and passion, they have opened their own studio.
Jaci’s connection to carving comes from her father, Steve Gwaliasi, a Hokitika-based carver with over 30 years of experience. Steve runs Bonz ‘n’ Stonz, where he works with pounamu sourced from local iwi along the rivers of the South Island. Jaci grew up surrounded by the art, learning its traditional methods and values. Steve’s passion extended to Steffan, who first saw carving as a fun activity during their summer visits to Hokitika. “Every time he’d come with me, he’d get into it, then he started teaching and really fell in love with it,” Jaci says. Inspired by these experiences and with Steve’s enthusiastic support, they have brought Matakana Carving to life.
The studio has taken several months to set up with Steffan building each carving machine himself. He had to source parts from places like the U.S. and England. “You can’t just go to Mitre 10 and pick these up,” he jokes, highlighting the intricate nature of the machinery.
Matakana Carving offers flexible workshops for all skill levels, allowing people to create something deeply personal. Beginners can start by shaping and polishing pounamu river pebbles, learning how to drill and add bindings in sessions lasting one to two hours. For those looking to create more intricate pieces, such as pendants or bracelets, longer workshops provide in-depth guidance and all necessary materials. The studio also supports more complex designs using materials like shells, crystals, or other stones. Jaci emphasises that carving is as much about the experience as it is about the finished product. “You can just get taken away by it,” she says. “It's a peaceful spot here, perfect for artistic work.”
In the future, the couple hopes to expand the space to include a small shop displaying their handcrafted pieces alongside creations by Jaci’s father. For now, their focus is on the workshops. As summer approaches, Matakana Carving looks forward to welcoming more visitors and group events into their creative space. With strong community ties and a passion for carving, Jaci and Steffan hope their studio will become a cherished local favourite.
www.MatakanaCarving.co.nz | Facebook: Matakana Carving