Academic Awards with Mana
Organisation: St Andrew’s College, Christchurch
Client: STAC
Project: Creating new trophies for the annual prize-giving
Background:
Christchurch school St Andrew’s College sought a distinctive way to honour students, staff, and community members at its annual prize-giving. Traditional trophies lacked cultural resonance and lasting significance.
The College needed custom-crafted taonga that embodied its values, celebrated excellence, and conveyed profound gratitude -pieces that recipients would treasure for generations.
With a longstanding relationship built on trust, STAC turned to Moko Pounamu for their unparalleled expertise in pounamu artistry. The College required:
- Provenance & Integrity: Guaranteed authenticity through Ngāi Tahu certification.
- Customisation: Unique designs reflecting STAC’s identity and the mana of each award.
- Reliability: Delivery within tight academic timelines.
The Solution
Moko Pounamu collaborated closely with STAC to create bespoke pounamu trophies.
The process included:
- Tailored Design: Modifying mountings and aesthetics to align with STAC’s vision.
- Cultural Storytelling: Embedding meaning through artist details and informational booklets.
- Elegant Presentation: Crafting custom wooden boxes to elevate the taonga’s mana.
“In working with Moko Pounamu, we are assured of the integrity of every piece, the mana and skill of their artisans, and the company’s ability to customise artworks to our needs.”
Client Experience
STAC highlighted Moko Pounamu’s responsiveness and dedication:
- Seamless Collaboration: “The staff are knowledgeable, patient, genuine communicators… always very helpful, prompt and obliging.”
- Meeting Critical Deadlines: Successful delivery despite complex modifications and time constraints.
- Cultural Depth: Each taonga’s story, shared via certification and artist profiles, amplified its emotional impact.
“The inclusion of an information booklet and Ngāi Tahu certification means recipients understand the artwork’s significance—and thereby the heartfelt gratitude the College feels.”
The Result
The pounamu taonga became more than trophies; they transformed into enduring symbols of achievement and connection:
- Recipients cherish understanding the why behind their taonga – its origin, artist, and cultural narrative.
- STAC now relies on Moko Pounamu for all significant acknowledgements, reinforcing trust through repeated collaborations.
- The College’s gratitude is immortalised in pieces designed to be passed down through families.
“When St Andrew’s College seeks a unique acknowledgement symbolic of the value we place in a person, we can rely on Moko Pounamu. We highly recommend Moko to any organisation seeking a taonga to be treasured for generations.”
Ready to create meaningful taonga for your school?
Contact Moko Pounamu to discuss bespoke pounamu solutions that honour excellence and legacy.
