14th – 16th February 2025 | Arahura Marae, Hokitika
As the waves of Arahura Awa continued their eternal rhythm, the voices of taonga pūoro joined them, filling Arahura Marae with the sounds of connection, learning, and deep wairua. Over three days, practitioners and participants gathered to wānanga, share pūrakau, and immerse themselves in the living legacy of taonga pūoro.
This Haumanu Collective wānanga, hosted in partnership with local kaupapa Maori organisation Whare Manaaki, was an opportunity to reconnect with taonga pūoro as voices of our tūpuna—echoes of the whenua and powerful tools for healing and storytelling.
Wānanga Day One: Ōturu
The wānanga opened with a pōwhiri at Arahura Marae, where Ngāti Waewae haukainga welcomed manuhiri onto the ātea. The scene was set with a kōrero on the settlement of Ngāti Waewae and Kāi Tahu in Te Tai Poutini, highlighting the iwi’s development and the significance of the new marae wharenui.
On behalf of the manuhiri, James Webster responded with a whaikōrero, followed by the waiata Kōhatu—a tribute to the taonga of the region.
After a group photo, whakawhanaungatanga activities brought everyone together, setting the tone for the weekend. Ema Weepu and Missy Campbell then shared knowledge about Arahura Marae, Te Tai Poutini, its people, the awa, and pounamu, grounding participants in the history and mana of the whenua.
- Ngāti Waewae are mana whenua for Te Tai o Poutini, from Kahurangi Point in the north to the Hokitika River in the south.
They also share interests with Ngāti Māhaki (Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio) in the area between the Hokitika River and the Pouerua River. - With these stories anchoring us, the wānanga transitioned into the first series of workshops:
🎶 Half the group engaged in an oro composition session, exploring sound and storytelling.
🎼 The other half began crafting nguru, shaping these beautiful taonga with their hands.
The intensity of creating and composing carried through the afternoon, leading into the evening, where Jamie Whittle (Pz) shared kōrero on the whakairo and construction of the wharenui, deepening our understanding of the space we were in.
Wānanga Day Two: Rākaunui
Under the guiding light of Rākaunui, the full moon, the day began at sunrise with a karanga ki Tamanuiterā, acknowledging the new day and the journey ahead.
After breakfast, Tony Smith led a full-group workshop on tetere, poi piu, and poi raupō, showcasing how taonga pūoro can be crafted from natural materials found in te taiao. He shared insights into their traditional uses and their significance in ceremony, storytelling, and daily life.
To lift the mauri before the next session, James Webster hosted a series of games, energizing the group and reinforcing the sense of connection.
Following paramanawa (morning tea), workshops resumed with participants swapping roles:
🔹 Those who had made nguru now stepped into the composition workshop.
🔹 Those who had worked on composition switched to taonga pūoro crafting.
As hands shaped instruments and sounds took form, the group began preparing for the evening’s composition sharing, where their learnings would be brought together in a collective celebration of sound.
Haerenga ki te Taiao – A Journey to the Sounds of the Natural World
In the afternoon, the wānanga ventured beyond the marae, embarking on a haerenga to Lake Kaniere and Arahura Awa. This was a powerful opportunity to engage with the oro of the taiao, listening deeply to the voices of the whenua, the wai, and the ngahere.
🔹 At Lake Kaniere, participants observed how water carries sound, reflecting on the lake’s stillness and the way pūoro interacts with its vast space.
🔹 At Arahura Awa, the group connected with the heartbeat of the river, playing and composing in response to the ebb and flow of the wai.
As hands shaped instruments and compositions took form, the group began preparing for the evening’s composition sharing, where their learnings would be woven into a collective celebration of sound.
Later, as the wharenui was filled with the voices of taonga pūoro, participants shared their compositions—reflections of their connection to the awa, the whenua, and the echoes of the past. The facilitators offered insights and reflections, and the evening closed with waiata and karakia, honoring the experiences of the day.
He Oro Tukutuku – The Sound Continues
The Arahura Taonga Pūoro Wānanga was more than a gathering—it was a weaving of voices, a passing of knowledge, and a deep reconnection to whenua and whakapapa.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to he Haukaingat, our incredible facilitators, and every participant who brought their wairua and whakaaro to this kaupapa.
As the final notes of taonga pūoro faded into the air, one thing was clear—the echoes of Arahura will carry on, reverberating through all who were present.
Haere tonu te oro – May the sound continue. Mauri ora!
📸 Stay tuned for photos and videos from the wānanga—coming soon!
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