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A Taonga Pūoro Wānanga for Whānau Impacted by Cancer
- Jan 20
- 2 min read
This four-part wānanga journey uses takutaku (karakia), whanaungatanga, whakapapa, atua and taonga pūoro to support whānau impacted by cancer.
Through sound, breath and connection to te ao Māori, participants will create and gather their own taonga pūoro kit and learn how to play for emotional wellbeing.
Taonga Pūoro Wānanga for Cancer Support
A four-part healing journey
This is a four wānanga series designed to support whānau affected by cancer through taonga pūoro, whakapapa, sound healing and connection. It is a sacred, safe and culturally grounded space where sound, breath, story and wairua come together to support healing.
Participants are asked to commit to all four wānanga as each part builds on the last.
What this wānanga offers
Takutaku
Sacred spoken karakia and sound used to
• Set intention
• Clear space
• Ground wairua
• Create safety and spiritual protection
Takutaku prepares the body and spirit to receive healing.
Whanaungatanga
A focus on connection through
• Shared experience
• Story and listening
• Collective healing
Cancer can be isolating. This space restores belonging and connection.
Whakapapa and Atua
Learning how taonga pūoro connect to
• Māori cosmology
• Atua
• The natural world
• The body and breath
This brings deeper meaning to the instruments and the healing they create.
Creating and Gathering a Taonga Pūoro Kit
Participants will
• Learn about different instruments
• Create and gather their own taonga pūoro
• Understand how to use sound for self-support and whānau care
These become tools you can continue to use beyond the wānanga.
Introduction to Playing for Cancer Support
You will learn how to use taonga pūoro to
• Calm the nervous system
• Support emotional release
• Reduce stress and pain
• Support yourself or loved ones during cancer
No musical experience is needed.
Who this is for
This wānanga is for
• People living with cancer
• Whānau supporting someone with cancer
• Those seeking spiritual and emotional support
• Those willing to commit to all four sessions
Important kaupapa
To protect the integrity and safety of this healing space
No recording devices, no photography
This ensures the space remains private, sacred and focused on healing.
Tamariki
Tamariki are welcome, under full parent or caregiver responsibility
What to bring
• Pen
• Paper
• An open mind
RSVP
