Rakiura Jade
Rakiura Jade
4
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- Nína L2 contributionsA very special experienceA very unique and special experience. We extended our time on Rakiura to attend this workshop after meeting Dave at the pub and we are so so glad we did this. It was a very rewarding experience. To have the opportunity to make something so special in a half day with someone as experienced and talented as Dave still blows my mind. I will keep the pendant forever. If you respect Dave’s time and space he will repay this ten fold with great guidance, insight, humour and wonderful stories from his broad career. Special mention to Whero, Dave’s wee dog who is a very lovely addition to the experience and is unbelievably cute.Visited September 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 24 October 2023
- David G2 contributionsHidden gem(s)Fantastic wee shop. Dave is very generous with his knowledge and showed me around his extensive stone collection. The carvings (by Dave and Ben Callow) range from inexpensive to pricier, more technical taonga – beautifully detailed and carved from wonderful stone. If you love pounamu, don't miss this place.Visited January 2024Travelled with familyWritten 29 January 2024
- Samantha F7 contributionsA must do on the Island!Our first visit to Stewart Island and as soon as we saw Dave's workshop online we knew we wanted to do it. It did not disappoint! Dave was so patient and explained each step to us. We'd never done anything like this before, had no experience but we came away with a pendant each that we were all very proud of. Thanks Dave for a great day!Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 7 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
33 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
1
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
9
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
John Grimshaw
1 contribution
Feb 2023
Obviously Dave is a talented man for being able to make these carvings however, he has an extremely rude manner about him. It is $200 for the workshop which is from 10am-3pm, so that is 6 hours of being in his negative and pessimistic presence. I usually love supporting small independent businesses and local trade however for what the experience has otherwise spend that at a corporate!!
Written 28 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NZP0PPY
New Zealand28,820 contributions
May 2021
Mixed feelings. Absolutely love my pendant I made and have much pride. Have worn it with pride. But the experience could have been better. I feel it is totally disrespectful to judge people based on where they live. For such a cultural person I was shocked by Daves attitude to those from certain regions of NZ. And the way he judged and swore at people. So my first advice is dont be surprised by Daves rudeness and if he asks where you are from - well its none of his business really.
However, it does appear he has a heart of gold under his gruff exterior. The process of making my jade pendant was great and i am proud of the end result.
However, it does appear he has a heart of gold under his gruff exterior. The process of making my jade pendant was great and i am proud of the end result.
Written 13 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz S
22 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Popped in when we were doing a walkabout about 5pm. Didn't realise he was closed as the door was open. After interviewing us as to where we were from and being generally rude when we asked him any questions he then became quite aggressive saying we were 'tyre kickers' and didn't we know that he was closed. I would say if you don't intend on spending money don't go there. Couldn't wait to get out of the place!
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David G
2 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Fantastic wee shop. Dave is very generous with his knowledge and showed me around his extensive stone collection. The carvings (by Dave and Ben Callow) range from inexpensive to pricier, more technical taonga – beautifully detailed and carved from wonderful stone. If you love pounamu, don't miss this place.
Written 29 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine G
3 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
We met a charming man, a skilled craftsman, in love with his craft. His son was present and we were able to exchange on the island and jade. It was a pleasant moment. I took her a beautiful jade pendant with crystals inlaid in a jade disc. Unique piece. I understand that he wants to protect his creations and asks that visitors not take photos. We will come back with great pleasure.
Automatically translated
Written 12 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheila W
1 contribution
Nov 2022 • Solo
I have made a trip advisor account to write this review. I have not written a review before and making an exception because bad experience.
David is a rude man asking me where I am from I thought what does this have to do with carving swearing at customers complaining people taking photo of his private carvings that are on his display negative attitude.
Now I write the review I see plenty of 1 star reviewers wish somebody said this to me before. Very horrible man my hard earned money gone.
David is a rude man asking me where I am from I thought what does this have to do with carving swearing at customers complaining people taking photo of his private carvings that are on his display negative attitude.
Now I write the review I see plenty of 1 star reviewers wish somebody said this to me before. Very horrible man my hard earned money gone.
Written 9 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samantha F
7 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Our first visit to Stewart Island and as soon as we saw Dave's workshop online we knew we wanted to do it. It did not disappoint! Dave was so patient and explained each step to us. We'd never done anything like this before, had no experience but we came away with a pendant each that we were all very proud of. Thanks Dave for a great day!
Written 8 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MorrisonLiz
Long Bay, New Zealand9 contributions
Feb 2024 • Business
During a very recent trip to walk the track, we went into this establishment as our last stop before the ferry.
My son and I were met with the very rude owner. As we conversed, he asked where we were from.
We whakapapa to Ngai Tahu. He proceeded to insult our ancestors that had lived on the island calling them ‘brown b&@*#d’s’ . Dreadful man.
My son and I were met with the very rude owner. As we conversed, he asked where we were from.
We whakapapa to Ngai Tahu. He proceeded to insult our ancestors that had lived on the island calling them ‘brown b&@*#d’s’ . Dreadful man.
Written 15 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zoepmc
31 contributions
Sept 2022 • Solo
Owner very friendly and conversational. Workshop looks cool, carving probably and awesome experience (I didn't have time to try it myself, sadly). But owner proud of unvaccinated status and thinks masks harm your immune system. For me, that's a no-go. Your mileage may vary.
Written 21 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel Bug
Melbourne, Australia36 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
Unimpressive items with excessive pricing. Rude belligerent man with no people skills whatsoever. Verbally abused me for asking a simple question about an item on display.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi can you tell me start and finish times and can you tell me the cost?, looking at around 14th January 2018 and also do you have to have certain numbers for this workshop to take place
Written 20 December 2017
I Approximately 10.00am. 180nz I think. You can go on your own and I think that the max number at any time is six.
Written 11 January 2019
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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