ABOUT · MAKING OF SERIES · A SPECIAL MAN
The making of A Special Man
Brett's tribute to his own father — carved with everything he was.
FORM
Memorial headstone
OCCASION
In memory of Brett's father
STONE
Ōamaru limestone
THE PROCESS
From sketch to completion
Click any image to open the full sequence.
THE STORY
"He was a wonderful provider — always sacrificing for his kids, giving them everything he had. I wanted the stone to hold that."
This piece was not a commission. It was a son's act of remembrance — worked by the same hands, in the same stone, with the same care Brett brings to every memorial he makes for others.
The design centres on a stylised Hei matau — the fishhook — chosen for what it carries: strength, mana, and the spirit of a provider. Brett's father gave everything to his children, putting their needs before his own through years of quiet sacrifice.
Into the design Brett also worked part of the Manaia — the bird's head — to represent the extraordinary care, love, and guardianship his father showed not just to his children but to all those who knew him.
The background of the headstone holds something specific and deeply personal: the contours and fairways of Ōhariu Valley Golf Club — his father's favourite place, his home club for many years. It is the ground he walked, and loved.
ABOUT THE NAME
"A Special Man" is how Brett describes his father — simply, directly, and without needing to say more. It is not a title or a label. It is what he was. The name asks nothing of the viewer except to understand that he mattered deeply to those who loved him.
DESIGN ELEMENTS
The Hei matau
A Māori fishhook — a symbol of strength, mana, and good fortune.
The Manaia
A Māori guardian figure — the bird's head representing spiritual protection, care, and guardianship.
THE MATERIAL
Ōamaru limestone is a soft, warm New Zealand stone — hand-carved, not machined. It weathers beautifully outdoors and holds fine detail with care.
Available for delivery locally or shipped professionally anywhere in New Zealand or internationally.
The golf course
His home club for many years, carved into the background of the plaque.
BRETT KENO · SCULPTOR · NEW ZEALAND