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
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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 pūkāea was a wooden trumpet, up to 2.5 metres long. It was made by splitting a length of mataī, hollowing out each half, then binding them together, often with the aerial roots of the kiekie vine. The narrow end had a carved wooden mouthpiece and the other was flared out.
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
✨ Tūtaki ki a James Webster ✨
Tainui, Te Arawa, Pākehā.
He ringatoi, he kaiwhakairo, he ringatāmoko, he kaipūoro, he kaiwhakairo taonga pūoro. E noho ana ia i Kapanga, Coromandel.
His work across taonga pūoro is at the heart of his practice — as a maker, player, and teacher of traditional instruments, James continues to explore sound as a living expression of culture, identity, and storytelling.
For more than 30 years, James has worked across a wide range of Māori art forms, including whakairo, tā moko, painting, mixed media, karetao Māori, and taonga pūoro.
His deepest focus has remained in the making, playing, teaching, and sharing of taonga pūoro, where much of his practice continues to sit today.
As part of Haumanu, James has been involved in the ongoing revitalisation of taonga pūoro for many years, working alongside some of the key figures who helped reclaim, restore, and reawaken these taonga for future generations.
Through performances, wānanga, workshops, and creative practice, he has shared this mātauranga with communities throughout Aotearoa and internationally, helping ensure these traditions continue to be experienced, practiced, and carried forward.
Driven by a passion for art, music, and the human spirit, James remains committed to creating spaces where taonga pūoro can be experienced, learned, and carried forward for future generations.
#HaumanuCollective #TaongaPuoro #TāMoko #Whakairo
National Makers Taonga Pūoro Wānanga ✨
📆 14–17 Pipiri 2026
📌 Tauranga
Join us for a unique four-day immersive wānanga designed for people with some experience in whakairo and/or hanga taonga pūoro. Guided by leading kaiwhakairo taonga pūoro, participants will have the opportunity to deepen their skills, share knowledge, explore traditional practices, and connect with fellow makers from across Aotearoa. This kaupapa will be hands-on making and crafting of taonga pūoro.
Nā reira, nau mai, haere mai.
If you`re interested in attending, comment `Pūoro` and we`ll send the registration directly to your inbox.
I te ata hāpara, ka ranonga ngā oro ki te whenua.
At Wai-Oro-Ariki, practitioners, learners and whānau gathered at Te Rewarewa Marae for a kaupapa grounded in taonga pūoro, reflection and connection.
One of the most powerful moments came quietly.
Before the day fully began, taonga pūoro were heard across the pā while mist still sat low on the whenua. It was a moment of presence within the space, the kaupapa and the wairua of the marae.
These are the moments that stay with people long after the wānanga ends.
Kia mau, kia whakatipu, kia tuku iho ai ngā taonga pūoro Māori.
#HaumanuCollective #TaongaPuoro #WaiOroAriki #TeRewarewaMarae
Haumanu is a collective Taonga pūoro Practitioners, continuing the mahi begun under the leadership of the late Dr Hirini Melbourne.
Our mahi is guided by three interconnected pou:
🌱 Taonga Pūoro
🌱 Mātauranga
🌱 Wānanga
Each plays a different role, but together they shape how we learn, share, and sustain this practice through people, place, and connection.
These foundations carry the collective responsibility of sustaining and passing this knowledge forward.
E kōrero ana te whenua, e kōrero ana te marae.
From the moment manuhiri arrived, Te Rewarewa Marae made its presence felt.
The stillness of the valley.
The strength of the marae.
Two whare nui standing side by side.
A setting that invited people to slow down, listen and immerse themselves fully in the kaupapa.
Some places hold memory deeply.
You can feel it before a single word is spoken.
Wai-Oro-Ariki brought together practitioners, learners and whānau in Ruātoki for a kaupapa grounded in taonga pūoro, reflection and connection.
Have you ever entered a space that immediately shifted the way you felt?
#TeRewarewaMarae #HaumanuCollective #TaongaPuoro
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
