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HAUMANU COLLECTIVE

The Haumanu Collective group is dedicated to the revival, teaching, and sharing of Taonga Pūoro.

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Featured Instrument

Pūmotumotu Kauri: James Webster creation: Norman Heke photo

Pūmotomoto

Pūmotomoto are long flutes with a notched open top which becomes the blown edge and a single finger hole near the end. The pūmotomoto was traditionally played over the fontanelle of an infant to implant songs and information of the child’s iwi directly into his/her conscious.

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Taonga Pūoro Events

Our story

Reviving taonga pūoro

Taonga Pūoro were historically used in the arts of healing and cultural ceremonies and still are today, in varying degrees. Due to historical events, there was a decline in the use and cultural practice of the instrumental traditions within Māori culture and with the knowledge base connected to it. 

There has been a revival of this craft over the last 30-40 years, led by the late Hirini Melbourne, the late Richard Nunns, Brian Flintoff and Ranginui Keefe, Joe Malcolm, Clem Mellish, the late Rangiiria Hedley, Aroha Yates Smith, Hinewīrangi Kohu Morgan, Ross and Bruce Gregory, Te Miringa Hohaia and others. Haumanu has grown from these initiatives.

Dr Hirini Melbourne with his pūkāea Tamanui. Photo: University of Waikato

Haumanu Collective

The group is dedicated to the revival, teaching, and sharing of these taonga. We are a newly formed rōpū of six people, are representatives of the wider rōpū, and a continuation of Haumanu.

Mandated by the broader Taonga Pūoro whānau with the support of CNZ and MCH to facilitate a Strengthening Taonga Pūoro strategy over the next three years.

The core collective are:

HAUMANU COLLECTIVE  KAUPAPA

Ko te piko te māhuri, Koia te tipu o te rākau. He rito tangata, he mauri reo, he mauri oro, he mauri ora!
To nurture, to grow

To support the retention and revitalisation of critically endangered mātauranga Taonga Pūoro , working in partnership with tohunga, pūkenga, experienced and emerging practitioners. The programme covers all aspects of mātauranga Taonga Pūoro, including tikanga and reo related to Taonga Pūoro making, performance, composition and in healing.
Activation : He Maiangitanga ake
He maiangitanga ake is in reference to the first surge of the waka haurua a the wind hits their sails. Our pūrakau speak of an occasion during the great migrations from the Pacific where the wind ceased to blow and left the waka flotilla still in the water. After reciting the karakia to Tawhiri (te Kawa o Tawhiri) the wind picked up and the sudden surge forward was known as Te Maiangitanga ake.
Foundation : He Pakiaka whakarētō
This rerenga kōrero is in reference to whakapapa. To the times of te wehenga o Ranginui rāua ko Papatūānuku. When Tane braced himself against his mother he sank his roots deep to provide the foundation to separate his parents and bring light to the world.
Preservation : He Hiringa Mahara
This rerenga kōrero refers to both the power of the mind and its perseverance and determination. Ko tahi tonu te hiringa i kake ai a Tane ki tikitiki o Rangi Ko te Hiringa i te mahara. It was the determination of Tane's mind that enabled him to ascend to the highest of heavens, there he retrieved the baskets of knowledge.
Indigenise : Kia Māori
There is no translation for indigionise in the Māori language. This term is a colonial point of view where because of the upheaval of colonisation we need to return to being indigenous. From the perspective of te ao māori all we can be is Māori. Pai tū, Pai hinga, kia Māori!
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Ngā mihi nui ki a Tamihana Katene for his beautiful mahi toi and contribution to the legacy of taonga pūoro!

The creation of Te Kurutaki a Kawharu, a stunning pahū tōtara crafted as a tātai hono between Ngāti Toarangatira and Ngāti Whātua, is a powerful expression of artistry and whakapapa. At almost a meter long, this pahū embodies connection, tradition, and the joy of creation. Tamihana’s vision reminds us of the importance of continuing to craft and share taonga like these to strengthen our communities and amplify our collective voice.

E hoa mā, let’s heed this call—more pahū, more wairua, more taonga pūoro resonating across the whenua!

#pahū #taongaPūoro #whakairo #MāoriArt #KiaMauKiaWhakatipu

Mauri ora!

—Haumanu Collective

Ngā mihi nui ki a Tamihana Katene for his beautiful mahi toi and contribution to the legacy of taonga pūoro!

The creation of Te Kurutaki a Kawharu, a stunning pahū tōtara crafted as a tātai hono between Ngāti Toarangatira and Ngāti Whātua, is a powerful expression of artistry and whakapapa. At almost a meter long, this pahū embodies connection, tradition, and the joy of creation. Tamihana’s vision reminds us of the importance of continuing to craft and share taonga like these to strengthen our communities and amplify our collective voice.

E hoa mā, let’s heed this call—more pahū, more wairua, more taonga pūoro resonating across the whenua!

#pahū #taongaPūoro #whakairo #MāoriArt #KiaMauKiaWhakatipu

Mauri ora!

—Haumanu Collective
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Karetao pūoro

Karetao pūoro ...

James Webster and Horomona Horo at Kirikiriroa marae

James Webster and Horomona Horo at Kirikiriroa marae ...

Eli Maiava performing at the book launch for Hineraukatauri. 
 #taongapūoro #maoriart #toimaori #haumanucollective #taongapuoro

Eli Maiava performing at the book launch for Hineraukatauri.
#taongapūoro #maoriart #toimaori #haumanucollective #taongapuoro
...

Pūkāea
 #taongapuoro #toimaori #maoriart #taongapūoro #haumanucollective #Pūkāea

Pūkāea
#taongapuoro #toimaori #maoriart #taongapūoro #haumanucollective #Pūkāea
...

Horomona Horo teaching tamariki about Taonga Puōro at the book launch of 'Hineraukatauri' #taongapuoro #haumanucollective #toimaori #maoriart #taongapūoro #Hineraukatauri

Horomona Horo teaching tamariki about Taonga Puōro at the book launch of `Hineraukatauri` #taongapuoro #haumanucollective #toimaori #maoriart #taongapūoro #Hineraukatauri ...

James Webster playing the Pūtātara
 #maoriart #taongapuoro #taongapūoro #haumanucollective #toimaori ##pūtātara

James Webster playing the Pūtātara
#maoriart #taongapuoro #taongapūoro #haumanucollective #toimaori ##pūtātara
...

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