In 2014 Niki had the opportunity to spend 6 months in China training under highly skilled jade Master Carvers. During these months Niki gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and learned a range of new jade carving techniques such as bowl and vase forming. The Masters also taught him how to 'read' a piece of jade (pounamu), how to analyze it and incorporate its beauty,  features and flaws into a unique piece of art "taonga".