On the 1st and 2nd of May 2026, practitioners, learners, whānau and lovers of taonga pūoro gathered in Ruātoki for Wai-Oro-Ariki – Wānanga Taonga Pūoro at Te Rewarewa Marae. Led by Wai-Oro-Ariki founder Jo’el Komene-Rōreka and supported by Haumanu Collective, the two-day wānanga was grounded in Tūhoetanga, whakapapa, whenua and the living presence of oro Māori. It invited participants to listen deeply – not only to taonga pūoro, but to the marae, the stories, and the legacy carried in that place.
Gathering in Tūhoe Country
From the moment manuhiri arrived, Te Rewarewa Marae made its presence felt. The stillness of the valley, the strength of the marae, and the two whare nui standing side by side – Kura mihi rangi and Te Ranimoaho – created a powerful setting for learning.
The wānanga opened with pōwhiri, kai and whakawhanaungatanga before moving into an evening of orientation and oro. Through the Rongo Au Oro sound bath experience, taonga pūoro were shared as carriers of mauri, memory and relationship.
Honouring Hirini Melbourne
Te Rewarewa Marae is also the marae of the late Dr Hirini Melbourne ONZM, one of the great pou of the taonga pūoro revitalisation movement.
To sit within the whare, surrounded by memories of Hirini, was humbling. His presence was felt throughout the kaupapa — in the kōrero, waiata, instruments, and the responsibility carried by those continuing the journey of taonga pūoro today.
A deeply moving moment was the hīkoi to the urupā where Hirini rests with his whānau. Guided respectfully into that space, participants acknowledged him through taonga pūoro. For many who had never met Hirini, it felt like meeting him through whenua, sound and legacy.
Sound, Tikanga and Place
By dawn on Saturday, mist lay low across the whenua as the first sounds of taonga pūoro drifted across the pā. Some of the rōpū had risen early to play, while others woke slowly to the sound. It was not performance. It was immersion.
Throughout the day, learning unfolded through kōrero, observation, shared meals, silence and reflection. Members of Hirini Melbourne’s whānau shared stories of his upbringing, his connection to the rohe, and the histories that continue to shape Te Rewarewa and Ruātoki.
Justin Kereama shared whakaaro about taonga pūoro, atua, tapu, space and intention. His kōrero reminded the rōpū that sound has context, and that tikanga guides not only how taonga pūoro are played, but where, when and why.
The presence of Whirimako Black added another layer of richness. Through kōrero and mōteatea, she reminded participants that taonga pūoro sit within a wider continuum of voice, story, language and lived experience.
Remembering the Revitalisation Journey
Carrying the Oro Forward
As the wānanga drew to a close, participants reflected on the journey of taonga pūoro from revival toward thriving presence.
Taonga blanks were gifted to support ongoing making and practice, while journals and creative resources encouraged participants to continue writing, composing, reflecting and listening after returning home.
A special moment of tuku taonga was also shared, with a pūtōrino made by Jared Hemopo gifted to Te Rewarewa Marae. The taonga was offered in acknowledgement of the mana of the marae, the legacy of Hirini Melbourne, and the ongoing relationship between taonga pūoro practitioners and the places that continue to hold this kaupapa.
For Haumanu Collective, this wānanga reflected the ongoing commitment to:
Kia mau, kia whakatipu, kia tuku iho ai ngā taonga pūoro Māori
To vitalise, grow and enable taonga pūoro Māori to reverberate across generations.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Wai-Oro-Ariki, Te Rewarewa Marae, Hirini Melbourne’s whānau, the hau kāinga, kaikōrero, ringatoi, practitioners, learners and all who contributed their presence, whakaaro and oro to this special kaupapa.
