George Campbell (Tuhuru Taonga)

Tuhuru Taonga is the pounamu practice of carver George Campbell, who hand carves genuine New Zealand pounamu from his studio in Christchurch and sells through his online gallery. Every piece is made from stone sourced on Te Tai o Poutini, the West Coast, gathered by George himself and by other kaitiaki pounamu.

George was born and raised at Arahura Pā on the West Coast, where his connection to pounamu began. As a boy he fossicked for stone on the Arahura River with his cousins and watched his uncles bring jade boulders back to the family carving studio his grandfather built after returning from the Second World War. After moving to Christchurch, he learned the pounamu trade under well-known carver Jeff Mahuika.

George is committed to keeping the craft genuine, and encourages buyers to choose Māori-made taonga carved from New Zealand stone rather than imported jade sold with Māori designs. His range covers traditional forms such as toki and roimata alongside earrings and small pieces for babies and children, and custom commissions are welcome.