Taonga Puoro

Al Fraser is a widely respected player, composer, builder and researcher of traditional Māori instruments ngā taonga puoro with a performance background. During Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori he came and visited Matariki and Māhutonga to share some of his amazing instruments and play some of them for us.

While he showed us his taonga puoro, he explained that taonga (treasure) and puoro (sound) translates into special/treasured sounds. He had crafted instruments from all sorts of sticks, rocks, logs and bones – even those of dogs, birds and whales!

These instruments are very special and unique to Aotearoa and it was such fun for us to see them all and learn about how they are made and played. Some of them are even made to play with your nose!

Tara Burton