Watch our Haumanu Collective panel discussion about the world of Taonga Pūoro. This was recorded at Te Papa, Wellington during Matariki celebrations featuring James Webster, Ruby Solly, Libby Gray, Te Kahureremoa, Aroha Yates-Smith, Shane James and Jerome Kavanagh Poutama.
Tararua is an art music quartet based in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. Members are Al Fraser (taonga puoro), Ariana Tikao (taonga puoro & vocals), Ruby Solly (taonga puoro, vocals & cello), and Phil Boniface (double bass & taonga puoro).
IA create indigenous soul music. Their compositions blend old with new and feature the voices found with traditional Māori instruments/Taonga pūoro.
For Tauranga’s Jo’el Komene, his taonga puoro are a connection to the soul. He has about 25 of the traditional Maori instruments he has made and taught himself to play.
Richard Nunns, a Pākehā – and alongside Māori musician Hirini Melbourne and Pākehā carver Brian Flintoff – was central to the revival of interest in traditional Māori instruments.
Rob Thorne would visit schools some 15 years ago with taonga puoro – traditional Maori instruments – and the children would be amazed.
An upcoming exhibition in Whangārei will showcase the best of young Ngāpuhi artists.
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