MEMORIALS & HEADSTONES
Honouring
a loved one
Hand-carved in Ōamaru limestone by Brett Keno. Every memorial begins with a conversation — there is no rush and no obligation.
When a whānau entrusts Brett with a memorial, he approaches it with deep care and respect for the person it honours.
WHERE TO BEGIN
We understand that researching who to trust, and finding the right person, can feel overwhelming when you're also carrying grief.
This page is here to answer your questions clearly and gently, so you can make the decision that feels right for your whānau.
There's no obligation in reaching out. Brett and Christine are happy to have a conversation at whatever pace feels right for you — by phone, email, or in person at the studio in Ōtaki Beach.
Memorial work is at the heart of what Brett does. Each piece begins with a whānau's story — a person, a life, a symbol that carries meaning.
Brett's Māori whakapapa connects to Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, and Ngāi Tahu. His Toi Iho™ certification authenticates his work as genuinely Māori. He understands the cultural weight of what he is being asked to create.
HOW IT WORKS
The memorial process
01
REACH OUT WHEN YOU'RE READY
Get in touch by phone or email — whenever feels right. Brett will listen carefully to who you're honouring and what your whānau wants the memorial to say. Take whatever time your whānau needs.
02
DESIGN & PLAQUE
Together you'll settle on a design that feels right for the person you're honouring. You might choose something from Brett's existing work, bring something you've seen elsewhere, or have Brett create something from scratch — he's guided by what feels right for the person and the whānau, not by convention. He'll also walk you through the plaque options at this stage.
03
WATCH IT TAKE SHAPE
As the memorial is carved, Christine shares photos so you can see it take shape. Many whānau find this a deeply moving part of the process. You’ll be kept informed throughout, with the opportunity to provide feedback along the way.
04
DELIVERY OR COLLECTION
The memorial is carefully packed and delivered via Mainfreight. Some whānau prefer to collect from Ōtaki Beach. If you need help with installation at the cemetery or urupa, Brett can advise on options.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
What to consider before you begin
PLAQUES
Choosing a plaque
You can organise your own plaque, or Brett & Christine can handle it for you. Either way, the plaque is delivered to Keno Sculpture and embedded into the memorial before it's delivered to you.
Ceramic plaques
MOST REQUESTED · RECOMMENDED
Christine works closely with Permanite (permanite.net) for industrialised ceramic plaques. These are extremely durable and highly customisable — you can include colour, text, a background design, and photos.
The process: you send your wish list to Christine, Christine passes it to Permanite, and they produce a digital mock-up for your approval before anything is made. Christine has occasionally requested custom-shaped plaques to suit Brett's memorial designs — Permanite has always been able to accommodate.
Granite plaques
AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
Granite is the traditional hard black stone you'll see in most cemeteries and urupa. Words and designs are sandblasted on — pricing is typically per letter. Photos can be added as a separate ceramic element, affixed to the memorial.
Fewer granite requests are received these days — ceramic is more flexible and popular — but granite can absolutely be sourced if that's what your whānau prefers.
"In simple words — Brett is absolutely amazing. From the time I picked up the phone he was so helpful and professional — he put my mind at ease straight away by accepting to carve my mother's headstone. Our whānau wanted someone with talent, experience and Tikanga Māori. He matched this and much more."
IN BRETT'S WORDS
Meant to tell
that story in stone
"I believe I was meant to meet that whānau — and to create something that embodies the wairua of their loved one. To tell that story in stone."
WHALE TAIL MEMORIAL — KAWHIA, NEW ZEALAND
MADE WITH CARE
Selection of completed memorials
A few of the memorials Brett has made — each one different, each one begun in conversation with a whānau.
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Ōamaru limestone lasts. Some of New Zealand's oldest buildings are constructed from it — still standing after 150+ years. Your sculpture is sealed on completion and will age beautifully with minimal care. You will be given full care instructions when your piece is delivered — or explore the care guide now →.