Though the origins of the Tiki figure are lost in its antiquity, its status as the most prized of all the ’hei’ or wearable art pieces of the Maori will remain with us for ever. In mythology Tiki is known as the first human, and tradition talks of Hei Tiki being worn by women as fertility charms. They were certainly a sign of rank and were known by their individual names, a tradition which still is adopted as a name is suggested by appropriate circumstances.
