Pyramid Club is proud to present Pūoro Tū, a festival of adventures in Māori instruments and sound. Bringing together many of Aotearoa's leading and emerging voices in taonga pūoro (traditional Māori musical instruments), the festival is a celebration of this tradition and a forum to forge new pathways with ancient knowledge and taonga.
Because of Covid restrictions, many events will be taking place offsite from Pyramid Club. If we need to adapt the programme due to changing Covid alert levels, these will be posted through Pyramid Club's facebook page and here.
This is event is going to be LIVE STREAMED only, there will be no audience at the venue. View stream here.
James Webster: kōrero and performance
Coromandel's James Webster (Tainui - Ngati Apakura, Ngati Mahuta, Te Arawa - Ngati Pikiao and Pākeha - Webster Clan) is renowned artist who works across many media including sculpting in wood, bone and stone, paint, fibre and metal, tāmoko (tattoo), karetao (puppetry) and taonga pūoro.
Panel kōrero: Mahina Kingi-Kaui with Tamihana Kātene, Shane James, Elise Goodge, Ruby Solly
Ōtautahi-based recording artist and composer Mahina Kingi-Kaui (Ngai Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Ngati Porou, Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi) combines modern influences with traditional sounds, movement and vocals, reflecting her passion for her culture, the environment, life experiences and global issues.
Shane James is a maker and player, kaitiaki of taonga pūoro at Te Papa and part of the Hau Manu ki Te Papa Tongarewa group. He loves to learn, share and foster the revival of taonga pūoro in contemporary times.
As a carver of wood, stone and bone Tamihana Kātene (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Koata, Te Taoū - Ngāti Whatua) has focused on the study and recreation of traditional taonga pūoro for over 15 years, leading community-based wānanga exploring the creation of Taonga Puoro, their associated pūrakau (stories) and their use as musical instruments. His passion for Tikanga and Te Reo have lead him to the composition of karakia and moteatea, specifically used to encapsulate and retain the knowledge pertaining to Taonga Pūoro.
Elise Goodge studied Taonga Pūoro under Richard Nunns and Haumanu in 2005. Returning to her home-town of Whanganui in 2011 she began organising wānanga and performances for the community. In 2019, with others, she formed the group Awa Puoro ki te Ao to continue revival efforts in the Whanganui, Rangitikei areas.
Ruby Solly (Kāi Tahu, Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe) is a writer, musician and taonga pūoro practitioner living in Pōneke. She has been published in journals such as Landfall, Starling and Sport, among others. She is currently completing a PhD in public health, focusing on the use of taonga pūoro in hauora Māori
This is LIVE STREAMED, participants only at event.
More Pūoro Tū events:
'Stick Stone + Bone' Exhibition Opening
Live performances @ San Fran
Live performances @ San Fran Night 2
Riki Pirihi conduction @ Futuna Chapel
Outdoor performance @ Brooklyn Bunkers
Found Sound @ Te Kopahou Reserve
Many thanks to Creative NZ, Ministry of Culture and Heritage, and Wellington City Council for supporting Pūoro Tū.
