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Te Arakari a Tūtānekai

On Sunday 24 August, Ngāti Kea Ngāti Tuarā gathered at Tārewa Pounamu Marae for our first taonga pūoro wānanga in some time. This kaupapa, named Te Arakāri a Tūtānekai, takes its name from the staircase that Tūtānekai carved at Tihi-o-Tonga down to Horoirangi. It symbolises the journey we as a hapū are taking with taonga pūoro — step by step, deepening our connection to these treasured instruments and the mātauranga that surrounds them.

The purpose of this wānanga was to act as a stocktake of sorts — to identify what knowledge our hapū members already hold, and to explore aspirations for the future. We began our day by acknowledging the tangihanga happening at our other marae for one of our own, recognising that taonga pūoro can be a powerful tool for healing and reflection.

“Ahakoa he iti, he Tārewa Pounamu”

After whakawhanaungatanga, we explored a brief history of taonga pūoro, their whakapapa, and their traditional and contemporary uses. Whānau experienced a range of instruments — from vegetables, whale teeth, and old pallets to leaves — each brought to life to sing their own song. Everyone was encouraged to explore, touch, and play the taonga that called to them.

Following a shared cup of tea, participants each chose a kōauau blank crafted from rimu or rātā, both rākau found on our maunga. Under the guidance of our facilitators, we learned to finish our taonga — sanding, burnishing, drilling wenewene, and lashing a cord — with each kōauau already at a stage where it could sing. Many commented on the special connection that came from shaping their own taonga with their own hands.

As the kōauau took form, we shared kōrero about how and when these instruments might be heard on our marae, and what occasions might call for different sounds. We also looked ahead to October, when Waioroariki, a Bay of Plenty taonga pūoro rōpū, will come to Tārewa Pounamu. Having this future kaupapa gave participants a tangible goal — to learn to play confidently by the time the next wānanga arrives.

The day was filled with mātauranga, laughter, and oro — a reaffirmation of the beauty of learning together on our own marae. This wānanga marks just the first steps on our staircase, and we look forward to climbing further together as a hapū.

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