Oro Rua Haumanu Collective Podcast

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 transmissi...

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of James Webster, a celebrated Māori artist whose journey through various artistic realms as a ringa toi is nothing short of extraordinary. From the intricate art of whakairo rākau to the profound symbolism of tā moko, and from the enchanting world of puppetry to the grandeur of large-scale sculpture, James has left his mark on the Taonga Pūoro...

In this episode, Salvador Brown, a dedicated musician and skilled taonga pūoro practitioner, embarks on a journey of passion and connection, exploring how his love for taonga pūoro is intricately woven into his whakapapa in Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, specifically Haamoa. With a profound devotion to oro and the rich musical traditions that resonate throughout the Pacific, Salvador delves into the mesmeri...

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) through...

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. Shane's unwavering passion for mahi toi (artistic work) and the preservation of...

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 Pū...

In this captivating episode of Oro Rua, Horomona engages in a rich conversation with esteemed researcher, composer, and mātanga reo, Dr. Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal , hailing from Ngāti Whanaunga, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tamaterā, and Ngā Puhi. Delving into the depths of te ao pūoro, Te Ahukaramū shares his journey as a classically trained musician who has embraced the indigenous musical practices of...

Libby Gray explores the spiritual practices of Komako Silver, Ngāti Pakahi, Ngā Puhi and her unique approach to her Taonga Pūoro practice. Influenced by a spirituality based up bringing Komako talks to her introduction to taonga pūoro through the growing of hue and connection to Atua Māori and how the spiritual belief systems of other cultures has played a huge part in her practice. E te hunga wha...

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...

Reti Hedley, nō Ngāti Tūwharetoa, is an established musician, composer and audio producer. Mentored by his late mother Rangiiria Hedley, a renowned taonga pūoro artist and lecturer, Reti inherited her knowledge of taonga pūoro. Reti has progressed this precious knowledge further with a degree at WINTEC, which he now incorporates into his life and his band ‘IA’, helping to open up a space for Maori...

Tāmihana speaks with carver and community pūoro facilitator Sam Palmer. Brought up in a Pākehā upbringing, the ‘Wood Ninja’ Sam, speaks about what first drew him to Taonga Puoro. He elaborates on his in-depth practical instrument making wānanga that he runs, the formal tikanga of how he approaches whakairo within a modern context, and also the incorporation of other practitioner’s influences withi...

James interviews Grammy award winning soloist and Māori taonga puoro specialist Jerome Kavanagh Poutama nō Ngāti Maniapoto - Matakore, Mōkai Pātea, Ngāti Rangi - Ata Whanganui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Caomhánach (Irish). Jerome shares his early beginnings in Taonga Puoro, how his practice evolved from working in kura and kohanga reo, and how the settling practice of Oro Atua was develop...

In this episode, Libby and Thomas discuss the use of Taonga Puoro in the hauora space, as a tool for aiding mental health and addiction recovery. They also discuss some exciting plans for future projects, such as a Taonga Puoro orchestra.

Wiremu Sarich, of Ngā Puhi and Te Rarawa descent, is a leading Māori educator in the Far North, working with young and old alike to create inclusive spaces for exploring Ngā Taonga Takaro and Taonga Puoro. He chats with Horomono Horo about his playful work - a result of his carefree childhood growing up in South Auckland and connection to Te Ao Måori through his whanau.

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 Kōmene, 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...

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".

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...

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. Ruby Solly (Kai Tahu) is a musician, taonga puoro practitioner, music therapist and writer living in Wel...

Tāmihana has a kōrero with Isaac Te Awa - a curator of Mātauranga Māori at Te Papa Museum, who is early in his Taonga Pūoro journey. They kōrero about Isaac’s introduction to the practise, initiatives he is involved in for invigorating the taonga pūoro 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.

A kōrero with artist Warren Warbrick (Rangitāne, Te Arawa) about his start with Taonga Pūoro through working in museums and his progression into the practice through meeting Hirini Melbourne. He shares his passion for making instruments, and gives advice on the importance of rangahau into instruments specific to Iwi.

In this episode we have the pleasure of listening to the wonderful Dr Aroha Yates-Smith as she reminisces about her experience with Taonga Pūoro artists, in amongst stories of special memories, life accomplishments and spirituality.

Tēnā koutou kātoa e te iwi, Welcome to the Oro Rua Haumanu Collective 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. Check in for our regular episodes - Nau mai haere mai!' For more about taonga pūoro visit  www.haumanucollective.com  Special thanks to our sponsors CreativeNZ a...