Dot Arts is a Māori jewellery business at 55 Dundee Drive in Flaxmere, Hastings. It was set up in 2017 by two Māori artists who carve pounamu (greenstone) and bone, and who also work in wood, resin, pāua shell and harakeke (flax). The business says each piece is designed, shaped and finished by hand, not made in bulk, and follows tikanga Māori. Pounamu comes from the South Island, and the harakeke is sourced in Hastings.
The range includes pieces such as hei matau, koru, manaia, roimata, toki and pikoura, and each piece comes with an explanation of its meaning. Custom pounamu necklaces are offered, along with bone carvings and resin pieces. The business also restrings and relashes worn pounamu and bone taonga, a job the website says is usually finished within ten minutes. Harakeke earrings and brooches are the smallest works the business makes. Orders can be placed through the online shop.
Our pick in Hastings for a taonga with its meaning explained, made by hand.