The Fernwood Story
Made by Nature, Crafted by Hand - The ultimate Kiwi as Retro product
Fernwood New Zealand, is a family business run by David & Michelle Gratwicke. The business has been locally owned and operated from Cambridge since 1969. Originally known as New Zealand Ponga Craft, the business was renamed and branded Fernwood New Zealand in 2007, we manufacture traditional hand crafted souvenirs and corporate gifts made from native tree ferns commonly known as "Pongas" or "Pungas". Our product has a unique natural Kiwiana look and feel.
We look at tree ferns as a special feature of New Zealand’s bush, an important and characteristic part of our native landscape throughout New Zealand.
The unfurling fern frond (Koru) symbolises new beginning and new life. The common Maori name for the native Black Mamaku tree fern is Ponga "Punga" and has always been a source of inspiration for Maori, who it is believed used the patterns for Moku (tattoo). For Maori, ponga or "punga" was a valuable and abundant natural source of building materials, and they also used the hard flint-like portion for shaping into spearheads used to hunt with. The centre (pith) was used as food and resembles the taste of coconut.
Our tallest and most magnificent tree fern is the black ponga or “Mamaku”, Cyathea Medularis, which grows to 20 metres high with a graceful umbrella of fronds. Beneath the exceptionally hard outer bark is found the multi coloured, natural horseshoe shaped scars which each frond leaves as it grows. Each tree’s pattern is unique to the individual, much like the finger print on humans.
Fernwood New Zealand manufacture souvenirs and corporate gifts from this native wood. The colouring and textures of this wood are completely natural and our unique heat curing and treatment process captures and enhances nature’s beauty.
The final kiln dried product is both pest and moisture free, which ensures it is safe for export.
For a genuine Kiwiana memento or as a great gift for that someone who seems to have everything, a slice of New Zealand ponga "punga" makes the perfect unusual gift, and is sold by retailers throughout New Zealand.
Ponga or "punga" is a very unusual wood, and always stikes conversation, as such it is ideal for corporate gifts, and is sort after by florists' and decorators looking for the ultimate in a unique KIWI RETRO look.
The dried wood is also highly prized by craftsmen & hobbiest wood turners who use it to make all sorts of unusual turned items & home furnishings, from finely crafted pens, inlays on coffee tables to four poster beds, the end results are nothing short of spectaular!
See our retail stockists page for a retailer near you. Many of our retailers offer online shopping, links to which are available for your convenience via our retail stockists page.
