This week I took some time out from my busy role to speak to the Matriarch and Patriarch of the “Ariki family” The wonderful owners of Ariki, and glean a little back ground information on the company.

I was interested to find out that the name “Ariki” is from the Maori language and means “The Chief”.

Personally I think this a very apt description of a company which was founded in 1932 and continues to be one of the world’s most successful designer/manufacturer of Paua shell jewellery. It is also one of the largest jewellery manufacturers in New Zealand.

It is certainly “The Chief” when it comes to creating beautiful handcrafted jewellery.

They both pride themselves on the fact that their products are 100% manufactured in New Zealand. The Paua itself is a natural renewable resource entirely sustainable and of course is harvested from the pristine waters off the coast lines of “Clean – Green” New Zealand.

Ariki uses only the highest quality Paua shell which comes from the oldest Paua with the thickest shells. “We select the best colour shells and carve and work them into jewellery that shows the Paua in the best possible way. Each shell has a different colour range, which makes each piece of jewellery absolutely unique”.

Here’s to another 83 years in business Mum and Dad!