We are excited to announce the launch of our second series of podcasts, shedding light on the astounding culture and history of taonga pūoro in Aotearoa. With each episode, we will take you on a journey that infuses knowledge and joy, and together we can celebrate what makes us unique. Series 2 of Oro Rua Podcast lauched Matariki Friday 14th of July.
In this episode of Oro Rua, James engages in a rich conversation with Ringa Toi Tāmihana Kātene, delving into Tāmihana’s profound love for Te ao Māori and exploring the unique approach he brings to his taonga pūoro practice. With a heartfelt appreciation for te reo and its tīkanga, Tāmihana generously shares his personal journey, focusing on his quest to find traditional mediums for the transmission of tūpuna kōrero, including karakia and mōteatea.
Tāmihana illuminates how this exploration has significantly influenced his path, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that the kaupapa of taonga pūoro is not only preserved but actively carried forward to reach our tamariki and mokopuna. He highlights the traditional practices of haka, mōteatea, and karakia as vital conduits for passing on this cultural treasure to future generations.
Join us in this insightful episode as we uncover the passion, dedication, and traditional wisdom that Tāmihana brings to the world of taonga pūoro, bridging the past and the future through the rhythmic threads of haka, the soulful notes of mōteatea, and the sacred echoes of karakia.
In this episode, Libby engages in a captivating conversation with the well-known composer and taonga puoro practitioner, Horomona Horo, hailing from Ngāpuhi, Taranaki, and Ngāti Porou. Together, they embark on a journey into Horomona’s deep love for te ao Māori and explore how his connection, not only with Taonga Pūoro but also with te reo and its tikanga, became a form of Rongoā (healing) throughout his life.
In this compelling episode of our Taonga Pūoro podcast, we have the privilege of sitting down with Shane James, a multifaceted individual with roots in Muaūpoko, Ngaitahu, Ngāti Apa, Rangitāne, Te Arawa, and Ngāti Kuia. Shane generously shares his extensive experience in caring for taonga Māori over an extended period.
In this captivating episode of our Taonga Pūoro podcast, join us as we journey with Libby Gray, a practitioner hailing from Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Rehia, Uepōhatu, and Tamaūpoko. Libby takes us on an exploration of her Taonga Pūoro practice while fondly reminiscing about the teachings of her late Kaiako, Rangiiria Hadley. With a dedicated focus on spreading the transformative concept of Taonga Pūoro hei Rongoā, Libby passionately shares her extensive skills with our community, particularly guiding wahine through the profound journey of hapūtanga (pregnancy), offering a holistic approach to wellbeing during this special time. Dive into this episode for a glimpse into the enriching world of Taonga Pūoro and its potential to nurture the spirit and body.
In this episode, James Webster and Libby Gray engage in a wānanga with the late tohunga pūoro, Hinewirangi Kohu-Morgan of Ngāti Kahungungu and Tauranga Moana. We delve into her vast experience in te ao pūoro, starting with the māramatanga (understanding) taught to her by her pāpā and the elders who guided her journey into te ao pūoro. We explore the teachings passed down by her pāpā, reflecting on his kōrero of the four doors of the oro tangata (human voice) and their significance as pūoro in her practice. Hinewirangi is passionate about her understanding of Ātua Māori and the current gender imbalance that misguides our people. Her story is one of pain and trauma, and how her own healing journey has guided and motivated her to help others heal through oro. Kei te Māreikura, Kei te tōhunga pūoro hoki wairua mai.
We are thrilled to share our profound dedication towards unveiling the intricate tales of our taonga puoro with all of you! We aim to inspire every young mind to embrace these stories and honor their own heritage. Our dream is to unite everyone through this exceptional tradition and preserve these stories for generations to come.
You can find our episodes on our Podbean page, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, or Podchaser podcast app.
Our sincere gratitude to our sponsors CreativeNZ and the Ministry of Culture & Heritage for their unwavering support in making this possible.
Tāmihana is joined by multi-disciplinary artist, storyteller and tāonga pūoro practitioner, Te Kahureremoa Taumata, nō Ngāti Kahungunu me Ngāti Tuwharetoa. With a love for sound and strong a connection to te taiao, Te Kahureremoa chats about cultural influences, her passion for sharing mātauranga through kōrero pūrākau, and her own creative musical endeavours with Taonga Puoro.
For Jo’el Komene, his taonga puoro are a connection to the soul. A musician and carver with whakapapa to Nga Puhi, Tainui and Tapuika, he tells of his toi Māori journey; beginning with learning whakairo which fuelled a passion for Taonga Puoro, then furthering his practice with a masters in the kōauau. Now working in education and sharing his mātauranga, Jo’el is a key player in the revitalisation of te ao toi Māori.
As a renowned craftsman and an enthusiast, Brian Flintoff shares his memories and thoughts around the use, and proliferation of taonga puoro. He also briefly shares the story of coming up with the name “Haumanu”.
In this podcast episode of Oro Rua Horomona Horo speaks with practitioner and cultural consultant Kelly Kahukiwa nō Te Arawa Iwi about entering the world of music through jazz musician Stu Buchanan. Starting with the saxophone and then focusing on Taonga Puoro, Kelly shares insights into his mahi of building bridges of cultural understanding through his practise of Mā Oriori. He gives back to the Ngāhere with the Oro and the Whē of puoro and helps to obtain positive outcomes for Ngāi Māori.
Ruby Solly shares her thoughts and feelings about Taonga Puoro with Awhina Tamarapa. The pair cover some of the more memorable experiences in Taonga Puoro, influential people they’ve worked with and interesting ways that traditional Māori music can be fused with Western traditional instruments.
Tāmihana has a kōrero with Isaac Te Awa – a curator of Mātauranga Māori at Te Papa Museum, who is early in his Taonga Puoro journey. They kōrero about Isaac’s introduction to the practise, initiatives he is involved in for invigorating the taonga puoro community in Wellington and how preserving the precious taonga at the museum influences his personal growth and approach to mahi toi.
James chats with writer Awhina Tamarapa about her mahi as a professional museum curator, and the intracacies of looking after precious Taonga Puoro collections.
Aroha Yates-Smith, is a New Zealand performer and academic, who affiliates to Te Arawa, Tainui, Takitimu, Horouta, and Mataatua. She is known for her research into forgotten Māori female deities.
We are proud to announce the launch of our Oro Rua Haumanu Collective Taonga Pūoro podcast where we kōrero and wānanga about taonga puoro with some of the foremost practitioners in the crafting and performance of traditional Māori musical instruments.
Special thanks to our supporters
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