Haumanu

This instrument is similar to the Jew’s harp. It has a slender tongue of bone or wood and is plucked to create sound through vibration. The mouth is used to manipulate the sound and produce various resonances.

Kōhatu (stones) are from the family of Papatüänuku. When tapped or rubbed together they resonate the movements of the earth mother. Kōhatu are the rhythm keepers.

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.

Pūtangitangi is often a term used to describe the harmonica or mouth organ. However, it’s name originally relates to the small seashells used to create a harmonious note.

These are large hue with the seeds removed. The neck is cut off and the sound comes from blowing over the top to create a vibrant bass sound.

This is a whistling gourd. They are swung on a cord (similar to the playing of the purerehua) and create a gentle, soft whistling sound.

This is a hue with its neck removed and is played with the nostrils to create a magical, enchanting sound.

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.

Pōrutu are essentially long kōauau with usually three (but up to six) holes of the same relative spacing as kōauau but located near the bottom end.