Taonga tells Matariki story (+video)

About 70 people have enjoyed a fascinating talk on the history of Maori musical instruments and puppets.

The talk by Maori arts practitioner James Webster, who also explained how he became involved in the creation and playing of the taonga, was held at the Rotorua Museum on Sunday as part of its Matariki celebrations.

Mr Webster and his team also told the story of Te Ao (The World) with the puppets and instruments at the museum's Matariki Whanau Night on Saturday.

Rotorua Museum event co-ordinator Kathy Nicholls said Sunday's event was "more of an adult way to give more history behind the revival of the art forms, and how James Webster got involved with reviving these puppets".

Mr Webster and his team had just come back from an international cultural festival in Guam, where they performed the show and spoke about the puppets and instruments, Ms Nicholls said.

Mr Webster is a member of the group Haumanu which is dedicated to reviving, teaching and sharing these treasures through instrument-making and artistic performances.

He is a multi-disciplined artist specialising in ta moko (Maori tattoo), sculpture, and working in the fields of carving, painting and other mixed-media.

Rotorua's Ben Winkelaar went along after seeing a pamphlet for event. He said it was fascinating, for example hearing how the instruments "simulate the noises of the wind and sea and how they [Maori people] expressed themselves with their crafts".

Margaret and Don Champion were visiting the museum from the Kapiti Coast and decided to join the talk. "He [Mr Webster] has got a lot of history and knowledge."

Mr Champion said they did not hear much about Maori culture so the talk was very interesting. He said the more Mr Webster talked the more interested he became.

"He does a great job."