Manaia the guardian spirit Celebration 21st Key with Stand

21 is the age that a person in New Zealand is classed as an adult, and the giving of the 21st key is a strong New Zealand tradition to symbolize opening the door of maturity and becoming an adult. Alternatively, the giving of a key is a symbol of the limitless doors they can open in their life.

Design Inspiration

Māui is the clever and gifted demi-god of Maori legend that fished up the North Island of Aotearoa (New Zealand) using Te Matau a Māui (the fishhook of Maui). Te Matau a Māui represents not only the land, but also prosperity, fertility, and safe passage over water. It denotes the importance of fishing to Māori and their relationship to Tangaroa (god of the sea).

This artwork is an impressive contemporary representation of the typical form of Te Manaia. The key is crafted from recycled Native New Zealand Rimu veneerboard, medium density fibreboard (mdf), Gaboon veneer plywood and embellished with NZ Paua shell.

Size:    29cm x 58cm x 2.5cm (HxLxW)

Mass:  Approx 1.5kg

* Please note there is no word on the key. It comes with a permanent marker.