Taonga Puoro
Taonga Puoro are the traditional instruments of Māori.
Kia tere atu ngā kapua
Kia tīhore te rangi
Kia whiti te rā
Mā te hau ngā oro whakatangitangi o mua e kawe
Tīhei Mauri Ora!
Let the clouds fly away,
Let the sky be clear,
Let the sun shine,
May the music of the past be carried on the wind
Let it be so!
I feel deeply privileged and fortunate to have worked with this wonderful tradition of music and would like to pass knowledge about the taonga back to communities. Please contact me if I can help.
School Programme
Ever since Hirini Melbourne challenged me I have taken taonga puoro into schools and have shared the taonga with hundreds of thousands of tamariki and rangatahi all around the motu over a period of some 30 years.
I currently tour the 'Te Ao o Taonga Puoro' presentation around schools in Te Waipounumu. This website features many resources to assist schools which I invite you to explore below.
Collaborative Performance
When invited by Tangata Whenua, I have collaborated with other performers to present in concerts, festivals and wānanga. Collaborators have included Ariana Tikao, Holly Tikao-Weir, Richard Nunns, Aroha Yates-Smith, Donna McLeod, Te Oro Hā, Cindy Batt, Callum O'Leary and Mahina Ina Kingi Kaui, and have included works by Gillian Whitehead.
Sound Design and Recording
When invited by Tangata Whenua, I have composed and recorded soundtracks for film, exhibitions and other media. Examples have included films with Richard Nunns and Aroha Yates-Smith, exhibitions to support the work of Brian Flintoff and Robin Slow and media projects by Kahurangi Smith and The Grid.
Tōku Ara
My journey with taonga puoro started in 1987 when I invited Richard Nunns to present a wānanga at the Nelson School of Music, in which I participated. Read more about my journey below.
Taonga Puoro
Singing Treasures
We're thrilled to announce Brian's important book on taonga puoro, which he wrote with guidance from Hirini Melbourne has been digitised and is freely available online. As well as reading all the original text, there's a revised preface and there are examples of all instruments played by Richard Nunns.
Kawa Whakaruruhau
Being Tau Iwi, I navigate te ao o taonga puoro with respect and care. I invite you to read my Kawa Whakaruruhau
(Cultural Safety Statement) below.
Making Taonga Puoro
Whilst I encourage people to always give priority to mana whenua makers, I can make taonga should that not be possible. Thanks to Brian Flintoff I have knowledge around construction and whilst I would not consider myself a kaiwhakairo, I follow traditional design and methods to embellish the taonga appropriately (as in the above examples).