Art of ancient taonga revived

Trinity Davies, 13, Ngawaiata Hauraki, 13, and Pia Goldsmith, 13, learned to make instruments to celebrate Matariki. Photo / George Novak

Matariki, the Maori New Year, gave secondary school students the opportunity to create their own special instruments rich in Maori heritage.

Students from Tauranga Waldorf School, Tauranga Girls' College and Te Wharekura O Mauao attended a Tangi Roreka workshop lead by Jo'el Komene at Baycourt, where pupils were introduced to traditional Maori musical instruments.

Students learned instrument names and the Maori gods and guardians they stemmed from.

Trinity Davies, Ngawaiata Hauraki and Pia Goldsmith from Te Wharekura O Mauao said the workshop was a special opportunity for them to learn the origin and history of the instruments.

"It's special because we're learning everything that our tupuna (ancestors) were using back in the day," Trinity said.

Ngawaiata said the instruments were not just a means of communication but also taonga (treasures).

All three girls were more than keen to play instruments that were special to them and their families.

Pia said it was interesting to learn the difference between traditional instruments used then and today.

Organiser Bernie Johnson said students learned the traditions of each instrument.

"We have wooden instruments from Tane Mahuta, the Maori god of the forest, and instruments from the sea from Tangaroa (Maori god of the sea)."