Oro Mauri Waananga

Mauri ora e te whaanau

A huge thank you to the Buller District Arts Council and the Creative Communities Scheme for the funding of this kaupapa.

Here at Manahua we hosted an oro mauri waananga where our participants came in and were able to make their own taonga puoro. Our participants were of all ages and experiences with taonga puoro. This workshop was about our community coming together to create and to learn about our collective cultural heritage and learning about the healing nature of these instruments.

The mood as the day started was filled with cautious excitement as everyone arrived and settled in for the day. We opened the day with takutaku and Joe showed us his kete filled with a wide variety of Taonga. Most are his own creations and some were beautiful gifts. We were all able to look with both our eyes and our hands at all of his taonga puoro handling all of them with the care and reverence they each needed. Participants were taught about the unique sounds and vibrations and purpose of each instrument. These instruments are not merely tools for music; they carry the voices of our ancestors and serve as a bridge between the past and the present.

After our matauranga session, the participants moved into the workshop. First go over the health and safety procedures, then have the choice of making a kōauau, a porotiti, or a pūrerehua. Joe guided everyone through the steps of making their chosen instrument. He demonstated techniques and guided through the stages empowering the participants to be the primary driver of their creation even through new challenges and overcoming anxieties.

The act of making allowed room for participants to connect both with the creation process, fostering appreciation for the craftsmanship, and the other people, connecting with each other and forming new friendships. The air was filled with lightness, easy conversation, laughter and the sounds of instruments being tested.

These connections continued over the lunch break where people were able to speak together with more depth and focus. Manahua put on a lovely light lunch for all to enjoy and keep everyone going into the afternoon.

The day concluded in a communal gathering where participants had the chance to showcase their creations, sharing the unique sounds of their taonga puoro with the group. This final sharing was not just an exhibition of their hard work but also a celebration of the collective spirit and the shared journey of learning and creating together.

In conclusion, the oro mauri waananga at Manahua was much more than just a workshop; it was a profound celebration of culture, creativity, and community. Participants left with not only their handcrafted taonga puoro but also a renewed sense of connection to their heritage and a deeper understanding of the importance of preserving and passing on these traditional practices. We look forward to hosting more such events in the future, continuing to nurture and celebrate our rich cultural legacy.