Te Ao o Taonga Puoro - Resource Material
Welcome to Bob's online resource material associated with his education programme 'Te Ao o Taonga Puoro' which is presented to schools around Te Wai Pounamu.
On these pages you can access a range of resources which are available to be shared.
The pūrākau used in this presentation are in the public domain, however, these stories will vary between different iwi and rohe, which is to be expected and consequently the pūrākau here should be viewed as merely one version of a rich tapestry of stories exploring Te Ao Māori.
Bob has presented taonga puoro in New Zealand schools for over 25 years and was encouraged, indeed challenged, by Hirini Melbourne to take the instruments into the community - these resources are part of a response to that wero.
Please select an option below to explore further:
How To Make A Kōauau
Detailed instructions are discussed in the video above and a list of materials and tools are noted below.
Here's an outline of the construction technique:
The easiest way to make a kōauau is to use a piece of bamboo. Find a piece which has an internal diameter of say 12mm to 15mm and select a length between the nodes. What you have at this point is a tube.
Saw the tube to around 120mm to 150mm long.
Next up clean out any paper or debris inside the tube with a round file or some sandpaper glued to a dowel.
Then you need to sand each end, working the outside edge so that it curves around to meet the inside edge. At this point the instrument should play.
Then you drill three holes, 3mm to 4mm in diameter, along the top surface aligned to the kunckles on your index finger. It's best then to countersink the holes to make them easier to feel.
Finally you can finish by sanding the outside smooth and perhaps coating it with a food-safe oil.
Materials and Tools:
A length of bamboo
A vice to secure the work
Pencil for marking
A hand saw
Sandpaper
Drill with bit
Countersink bit
Oil for finishing
How To Make A Porotiti
Detailed instructions are discussed in the video above and a list of materials and tools are noted below.
Here's an outline of the construction technique:
The easiest way to make a porotiti is to use a piece of plywood around 5mm thick. These instructions are to make a porotiti shaped like an elipse.
Mark a centre line on the vertical axis and then a perpendicular line at right angles to this line at the half-way point down the vertical axis. Mark two points equi-distant on the horizontal line which indicate the width of the porotiti.
Next draw the shape of the porotiti using the top/bottom and side marks as a guide.
Saw around this shape using a coping saw or bandsaw and tidy up the edges with sandpaper.
Next find the balance point on the vertical and horizonal axes by balancing on the edge of a rule and re-mark the axis lines if necessary.
Mark two drill points 5mm from the balance point (10mm apart) on the vertical axis. Drill with a 2mm bit and countersink.
Loop through a piece of line and tie off so that the looped length is a comfortable arms length apart.
Materials and Tools:
A piece of 5mm plywood
A vice to secure the work
Pencil for marking
A rule for marking and balancing
A coping saw (or bandsaw)
Sandpaper
Drill with bit
Countersink bit
String
Playing The Wāhine Voice
Click on the video above to learn how to play the wāhine voice.
Playing the Tāne Voice
Click on the video above to learn how to play the tāne voice.
Playing The Porotiti
Click on the video above to learn how to play the porotiti.
Presentation Content
Click on the photo above to read detailed information about and to download a script of Bob's presentation .
Watch The Presentation
Click on the video above to watch a (studio) version of Bob's presentation
Photographs
Click on any photograph above to see a gallery of taonga puoro used in Bob's presentation.
Worksheets
Click on the photo above to discover a series of worksheets based around the Te Ao o Taonga Puoro presentation.
Videos
Here's a series of videos featuring paintings by Robin Slow, carvings by Brian Flintoff and music by Ariana Tikao, Holly Tikao-Weir, Solomon Rahui and myself. The instruments are all taonga puoro and the videos could be utilised for generating further learning outcomes or simply played for entertainment.
Book the Live Presentation
Bob is available to perform his Taonga Puoro at anytime in Te Tau Ihu and at times as specified for the rest of Te Wai Pounamu (South Island). Click on the link above for more information.