HAND-CARVED ŌAMARU LIMESTONE · PLACED WORLDWIDE
TOI IHO™ CERTIFIED MĀORI ARTIST
ŌTAKI BEACH · WELLINGTON · NEW ZEALAND
Stories told
in stone
Brett Keno carves Ōamaru limestone into sculpture that carries the stories of the people it's made for — from intimate memorials to pieces that live in homes and gardens across the world. His Māori stone art is rooted in whakapapa, shaped by the people who commission it, and recognised by Toi Iho™ — the mark of authentic Māori artistry.
TOI IHO™ CERTIFIED MĀORI ARTIST · CARVING SINCE 2005
Every piece begins with your story.
'Kai rō i te kohatu te mauri o te hā'
Bringing the stone to life.
"I was meant to meet your whānau.
Meant to tell your story in stone."
BRETT KENO · SCULPTOR
25+
YEARS OF PRACTICE
1000+
SCULPTURES CARVED BY HAND
8+
COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE
TOI IHO™
MĀORI ARTIST
CERTIFIED
From Ōtaki Beach to Dubai, Australia, Germany, Vietnam, Switzerland, Greece, UK, US and beyond.
BEHIND THE WORK
Brett & Christine Keno
A husband and wife team based at Ōtaki Beach, Brett and Christine have turned a passion for stone into a life's work. Brett's whakapapa is connected to Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, and Ngāi Tahu — his heritage lives in every piece he carves.
Christine manages the studio and is a successful sculptor in her own right — often joked to be the first of the two to sell internationally.
TOI IHO™ CERTIFIED MĀORI ARTIST · CARVING SINCE 2005
Toi iho ™
The Māori trademark that recognises, authenticates and uplifts Māori artists and the art they produce.
"Brett always kept me updated, sending photos of each day's progress. He took me on a journey from start to finish — at times I was speechless, completely mesmerised by seeing the transformation take place. Through his work with the stone, he gave it life."
TOHORA TAONGA — KAWHIA, NEW ZEALAND
COMMON QUESTIONS