The Texan Art School, Auckland

What to buy here: Bone Pendants.

The indigenous Maori of New Zealand often carved whale bone. Today, bone pendants are mainly carved from beef bone. Carved in the shapes of various traditional Maori motifs, bone pendants are popular gifts for young people. Most pendants come with a small card explaining the significance of that particular motif. For example, a Maori koru which looks like a curled fern frond, symbolises new life and beginnings. A pendant in the shape of a twist embodies the longevity of relationships, family and love. Whether it is strength, luck, new beginnings, love or any number of attributes, there is a meaningful motif for everyone. One wouldn’t expect to pay any more than NZD100 for a bone pendant, with most being priced between NZD30 and NZD50. The Texan Art School stores in Auckland are filled with beautiful New Zealand-made art, jewellery and sculpture. There are five stores in Auckland. The original store in Newmarket remains the largest. Allow plenty of time when you visit the store because there will be so many choices. The store is open Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5.30pm, Sunday from 10am to 5pm. The store is not open on public holidays.