In the heart of Tūhoe country, Wai-Oro-Ariki – Wānanga Taonga Pūoro at Te Rewarewa Marae brought together practitioners, learners and whānau for two days of sound, whakapapa, tikanga and reflection.
Friday 1st – Saturday 2nd May 2026
An immersive wānanga exploring the sounds, stories, and revitalisation of taonga pūoro, grounded in Tūhoetanga and connection to place.
In January 2026, taonga pūoro returned to the whenua of Mōtītī in a powerful wānanga focused on rongoā Māori and sound healing. Across three days, practitioners, whānau, and kaiako gathered to awaken the land with orooro, harvest kawakawa, shape uku, and share deep kōrero on mātauranga Māori. A gifted pūtātara now remains on the island — a lasting symbol of reconnection, ceremony, and sound.
Held at Kirikiriroa Marae, this international taonga pūoro symposium brought together Indigenous artists and knowledge holders from Aotearoa, Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, Alaska, China, and beyond. Across five days of workshops, kōrero, crafting, and performance, we explored the living breath of our instruments and the deep relationships they carry. This was more than a wānanga — it was a movement.
Dr Awhina Tamarapa leads a bold conversation on taonga, whakapapa, and Indigenous resurgence in museum spaces.
Haumanu Collective is delighted to welcome Eli Maiava (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Poutini Kāi Tahu) as our new General Manager. A passionate taonga pūoro practitioner and proven community leader, Eli brings deep whakapapa connections and a vision for cultural revitalisation. She joins us to help strengthen governance, champion advocacy, and nurture pathways for rangatahi—ensuring taonga pūoro continues to thrive for generations to come.