Haumanu Collective is honored to celebrate Horomona Horo (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Taranaki) for receiving the Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Award. This is a prestigious recognition of his immense contributions to taonga pūoro. This acknowledgment speaks not only to his artistry and dedication but also to the vitality of taonga pūoro in our cultural landscape.
Horomona Horo and taonga pūoro
Horo’s journey into the world of taonga pūoro began unexpectedly, when a conch shell at the World Indigenous Youth Conference sparked a lifelong passion. Despite initially knowing little about these traditional instruments, he found that their sound and spirit moved him in ways he hadn’t experienced, awakening an emotional connection and sense of purpose that has fueled his journey ever since. Today, he is celebrated as one of Aotearoa’s leading voices in taonga pūoro, known for his artistry in both traditional and cross-genre collaborations, performing with legendary figures like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Moana and the Tribe. His work has brought taonga pūoro into spaces ranging from classical to hip-hop, enriching and expanding its role in contemporary music.
Through this award, Horomona joins the legacy of revivalists he honors as mentors—Brian Flintoff, Hirini Melbourne, Richard Nunns, and Hinewirangi Kohu—who helped resurrect taonga pūoro and preserve its mauri. As he carries forward their kaupapa, Horo reflects on the resilience and adaptability of these “singing treasures,” bringing them to new audiences while keeping their roots strong. His words echo Haumanu’s vision: “Kia mau, kia whakatipu, kia tuku iho ai ngā taonga pūoro Māori”—to hold, grow, and pass down taonga pūoro across generations.
Horomona and Te Tumu Toi Laureate Award
Receiving the Te Tumu Toi Laureate Award has been an emotional milestone for Horo. He expressed gratitude for the recognition and reflected on his dedication to taonga pūoro, even when that meant sacrificing time with family. This award, he hopes, will be a step toward greater recognition for taonga pūoro artists in Aotearoa’s music landscape, as he envisions a future where these ancestral sounds are celebrated in their own right across music awards and mainstream venues.
Haumanu Collective extends our heartfelt congratulations to Horomona Horo for this well-deserved honor. His artistry continues to inspire new generations of taonga pūoro practitioners and affirms our collective commitment to nurturing and growing the presence of taonga pūoro in Aotearoa and beyond. Mauriora ki a koe, e Horomona – may your journey continue to inspire and elevate the voices of our taonga pūoro.
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