Ko Tūhua te maunga,
Ko Arahura te awa,
Ko Poutini Ngāi Tahu te iwi,
Ko Kāti Waewae te hapū,
Ko Pounamu te taonga,
Ko Tūhuru te tangata,
Ko George Campbell tōku ingoa.
George Campbell was born and raised in a small Māori settlement on the West Coast of New Zealand called Arahura Pā. It was here his fascination and love for pounamu began. George and his cousins would swim, explore, fish and fossick for pounamu on the mighty Arahura river. At a young age he would watch his uncles haul large jade boulders back to their family carving studio, nicknamed the rock shop that his grandfather built after returning home from WWII. Many hours were spent watching the large drop saw cut open stones hoping a quality heart would be revealed to fund the next whānau gathering.
Upon leaving school George worked many unfulfilling jobs and decided to move to Christchurch and try something different. He was given the chance to learn the pounamu trade under well-known local carver Jeff Mahuika. He was taught the basics of design, cutting, carving, and lashing. Over the next few years George would work in traditional Māori forms as a way of paying homage to his ancestors. George says, “As a descendant of the earliest pounamu workers it’s important to keep their traditions alive for future generations.”
In 2006 George completed a business management course and would go about building his own carving studio. Working only with pounamu he combines modern contemporary styles with time honoured designs. George’s mission is to help elevate the arts amongst his hapū and to provide a platform for his whānau to promote and sell their work.