In the heart of Tūhoe country, Wai-Oro-Ariki – Wānanga Taonga Pūoro at Te Rewarewa Marae brought together practitioners, learners and whānau for two days of
Te Tohu Taonga Pūoro (Level 4) is now open at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa – creating a new pathway for learners and practitioners to deepen
For the first time in history, taonga pūoro will be judged as a standalone, non-aggregate category at the Tainui Waka Kapa Haka Regionals—marking a powerful
In January 2026, taonga pūoro returned to the whenua of Mōtītī in a powerful wānanga focused on rongoā Māori and sound healing. Across three days,
The sound is made placing the finger over the hole at the tapered end then blowing into the mouthpiece and at the same time quickly releasing the finger.
Friday 1st – Saturday 2nd May 2026
An immersive wānanga exploring the sounds, stories, and revitalisation of taonga pūoro, grounded in Tūhoetanga and connection to place.
Our story
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.
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
Kia mau, kia whakatipu, kia tuku iho ai ngā taonga pūoro Māori.
✨ Haumanu Collective is a registered charity (CC64338)
This is a significant milestone in our journey, strengthening our ability to continue supporting kaupapa centred around taonga pūoro, mātauranga Māori, creativity, education and community connection.
What began through passion, commitment and a shared vision continues to grow through the collective efforts of many who believe in this mahi.
To everyone who has supported, contributed, attended wānanga, shared knowledge, collaborated or walked alongside us — ngā mihi nui ki a koutou.
We look forward to continuing this journey together and growing the reach and impact of our kaupapa for future generations.
He mahi ā-whānau te whakaora i ngā taonga tuku iho.
Revitalisation is carried by many hands.
Across the wānanga, knowledge was shared through kōrero, sound, creativity and making.
Journals and creative resources encouraged participants to continue writing, composing and reflecting beyond the marae.
Revitalisation often happens quietly.
Through people willing to learn, teach, create, share and carry knowledge forward.
Small acts.
Quiet commitment.
Intergenerational impact.
What teachings or practices do you hope continue through future generations?
#TaongaPuoro #HaumanuCollective #WaiOroAriki
He tirohanga ki ngā kaupapa kei mua i te aroaro ✨
Over June and July, we’ll be gathering across a number of wānanga and kaupapa centred around taonga pūoro, mātauranga Māori, auahatanga (creativity), oro (sound) and hononga (connection).
We will share more kōrero about each wānanga soon.
E harikoa ana mātou ki te whakapuaki i ēnei wāhi ki a koutou katoa — we look forward to sharing these spaces with you all.
#TaongaPuoro #HaumanuCollective #Wānanga #KaupapaMāori
DAY 4! ❤️🔥
Our final day of He Tangi Rōreka 2025 was all about reflection, creativity, and celebrating the collective voice we’ve shaped together over this wānanga.
We closed our hui with games, deep kōrero, and a special creative challenge: the rōpū split into three groups, each diving into the world of a different manu, weaving kaupapa, story, and sound into their presentations 🐦⬛🦜🦅
The waiata featured throughout this reel, “Hine Raukatauri”, was created by one of the rōpū; a powerful expression of kotahitanga, sung in different languages: Te Reo Māori, Rotuman, Tongan, Samoan and the native tongue of our brothers from Alaska. A true embodiment of indigenous connection, hauora, and the global threads that bind our cultures together.
As we close this year’s gathering, we honour every breath, every oro, every step taken in unity 🤝🏽💟
Ngā mihi nunui ki a koutou, until we meet again.
He wairua, he kotahitanga, he ara pūoro 🪈🌿
#haumanucollective #hetangirōreka2025 #taongapūoro #manamāori #indigenousvoices #wairua #kotahitanga
DAY 3! 🌬️
“He aroha kei roto i ngā oro, he rongoā kei roto i te wairua.”
“There is love within the sounds, and healing within the spirit.”
He rā tino whakamīharo filled with healing, connection, and powerful exchanges of culture and whakapapa.
We were blessed to have Iane Tavo Atalifo from Rotuma and Liwei Fang from China sharing their ancestral resonance with us. A true celebration of unity and oro 🤍
Outside, our kaimirimiri offered gentle healing, while inside, taonga pūoro guided a soothing rongoā session.
To close the day, we travelled down the Waikato awa with Titiwai Glow Worm Tours, experiencing the magic of the igniting riverbanks. A moment of pure awe, grounding us in the timeless relationship between people, wai, and whenua.
He wairua, he rongoā, he kotahitanga ✨
#haumanucollective #taongapūoro #hetangirōreka2025 #indigenous #māori #mauri #wairua #waikatoawa
DAY 2!
“Ko te piko o te mahuri, koia te tipu o te rākau.” 🌱
“The way in which the sapling is bent determines how the tree will grow.”
He rā whakawhanaunga, he rā ako. A day of connection and learning.
We were privileged to hear from Hikule’o O oho’ahu (from Tonga), Tau’ili’ili Alpha Maiava (from Samoa), and two members of Pamyua; Ossie and Qacung (from Alaska). Each sharing their unique perspectives and ancestral wisdom.
The day concluded with a hīkoi to Maungatautari, where we played our taonga to the manu and the ngahere; a moment of deep wairua and reflection, honouring the mauri of the whenua.
He aroha, he wairua, he rongoā 🕊️
#haumanucollective #taongapūoro #hetangirōreka2025 #toimaori #indigenous #manamāori #mauri
DAY 1!
Andddd that’s a wrap on Wēnerei last week!
Watch till the end for snippets of James and Hinemoa’s famous karetao performance! 🪈
He mihi nui ki te katoa who travelled so far to be part of He Tangi Rōreka 2025, bringing your aroha, mātauranga and wairua into this shared kaupapa of taonga pūoro.
Every sound, every breath, every movement continues the heartbeat of our tūpuna.
“Ka mua, ka muri.”
“Walking backwards into the future, guided by those who came before.” 🕊️
Ngā mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa, let’s keep the wairua flowing as we move into Day 2! ❤️🔥
#haumanucollective #taongapūoro #manamāori #toimaori #indigenous #māori
From the mauri of pōwhiri to the laughter of whānau…. This is the heartbeat of Haumanu 🫀💗
#TaongaPūoro #Pōwhiri #Kotahitanga #Mauri #Māori #HaumanuCollective
