Taonga Pūoro
Singing Treasures
The musical instruments of Māori
by Brian Flintoff
Haumanu was originally a loose-knit group of dedicated Māori music players and instrument makers which developed under the leadership of well-known composer and player, the late Dr Hirini Melbourne (1950-2003). Hirini’s interest in traditional instruments had initially been stirred by looking at old examples lying silent in their museum cases. He mused sadly on their loneliness. What were the sounds they created? What stories were told about them? And would their music be heard by the coming generations? He set about finding the answers to these questions and subsequently drew together a number of people who were already working on their revival, and others who also wished these treasures would sing again and were prepared to do something about it.
Haumanu had its beginnings at an informal weekend near the top of Pikikiruna on Takaka Hill, near Nelson in the 1980s. When Hirini and I travelled there initially to dedicate a pūtōrino carved from a 35,000-year-old tōtara tree it was early in the day and mist wafted from the mysterious holes scattered throughout the vast expanses of warming marble. He began playing softly, slowly building momentum, and as he played the sound filled the still air above us. Soon the echoes were circling over us and in that magic moment it was as if we were inside a crystal glass singing to the finger’s touch. We called that great marble rock nestled in bush Ōhaka Tapu, the Sacred Nest. Several members of the group have returned at other times to film and record at this special place and at the same time we have revived our energies in its special aura.
The name Haumanu can be literally translated as ‘breath of birds’ and was chosen because of the importance of bird songs in the traditions of the music. The word also means revival and this was the aim of the group.
One of the plant-filled holes in the great marble rock, Ōhaka Tapu.
Dr Hirini Melbourne with his pūkāea Tamanui.
The nucleus of Haumanu combined the complementary skills of Hirini, as a musician and composer, with an established status in both Māori and academic circles; the late Richard Nunns (1945-2021), as an accomplished flute player and multi-skilled presenter; and myself as a craftsperson to make replicas of those treasures held safe in the museums. From a hui initiated in 1991 Hirini also drew together such people as Mauri Tirikātene, Rangiiria Hedley, Tūpari Te Whata, Clem Mellish, Ranginui Keefe and Tēpora Kūpenga, John Collins, Te Wārena Taua and Rewi Spragon, all with different areas of expertise but whose intention was to create a human resource that would foster the revival of the instruments. From these initial beginnings the Haumanu ‘flock’ began to increase over time and was joined by Te Aue Davis, Joe Malcolm, Hemi te Wano, Rangi Kipa, Bernard Makaore, Pōtaka Taite, Aroha Yates-Smith, Warren Warbrick, Moana Maniapoto, Horomona Horo, Robin Slow, James Rickard and James Webster. Many demonstrations and workshops were conducted, mostly on marae throughout the country.
For several years in the late 1990s Hirini, Richard Nunns and I worked towards creating a publication to supplement our verbal and musical presentations. We wished to provide a reference for those who wanted to continue their interest in both playing and making taonga pūoro, these singing treasures. Late in 2002, after Hirini was diagnosed with cancer, he gave me the task of compiling this small, long-planned book, saying with his ever-present chuckle, ‘I’ve got a great idea. And the best thing is I just do the idea bit and you do all the work.’ This of course makes light of his years of devotion to the journey that brought us to the place where a coherent narrative was possible. The book, first published in 2004, summarises historical observations and contemporary research by Hirini, Richard, myself and others, and includes translations of Hirini’s writings and oral communications. In most cases topics are complemented with some of his songs and, where possible, his own brief interpretations of them. Fortunately Hirini and I were able to complete the outline and share most of the content before he left us. Taonga Pūoro, Singing Treasures is therefore presented as a tribute to Hirini.
The readiness of a great number of people to freely provide assistance for this book was a heart-warming tribute to Hirini’s standing and I am very appreciative of it all, especially the inspirational photographs taken by Terry O’Connor who passed away just before this book went to print. I note with gratitude the special contributions of Professor Wharehuia Milroy, Jan Melbourne, Pania Melbourne, Rangiiria Hedley, Derek Lardelli, Aroha Yates-Smith, Kiri Bramley, Dr Amiria Henare, Maureen Lander, Awhina Tamarapa and the others who were then at Te Papa, the late Alan Thomas, Michael Keith, Keith Hill and Tim Gummer at Rattle Records, Jo Paku, Cherie and John Woffindin, Maggie Atkinson, Bob Bickerton, Robbie Burton and the team at what was then Craig Potton Publishing (now Potton and Burton) who turned the concept into a reality, and my wife Julia, for her support and encouragement.
The new Haumanu Collective logo
On their way to Ōhaka Tapu are Haumanu members Brian Flintoff, Richard Nunns and Clem Mellish on the left, with Hirini Melbourne on the right and the crew of Rangiātea Films in the centre. (Photo: Julia Flintoff)
In the two decades since I wrote this book the dream of Hirini to revive these taonga in the way that the tupuna created them has well and truly been realised, with new information becoming available and with the taonga being played alongside contemporary musical instruments where they can add the magic that comes with their special sounds. Their uses in healing are now widely recognised and used, from before birthing and on throughout life’s journey. Their ability to enhance lives are manifest and will ensure they are an essential part of te ao Māori.
In 2022 support from Creative New Zealand and Manatu Taonga saw the establishment of the Haumanu Collective, which builds on the work of the original Haumanu, and is dedicated to the revival, teaching, and sharing of taonga pūoro. The Collective represents an impressive and inspiring new generation of taonga pūoro players who are carrying forward and expanding this area of traditional knowledge.
The original CD of excerpts that accompanied the first edition of this book has been discontinued because the then dearth of recorded material has been replaced by a plethora of accessible renditions available on many new recordings. However, this digital version of the book contains archival recordings by the late Richard Nunns talking about and demonstrating the many instruments from his collection.
Brian Flintoff
2023
Purekireki Marae in Pirongia, by photographer, Regan Balzer
Haumanu Collective performance in 2022 by photographer Tamihana Katene Jnr
Kia pōkai ake ra i te takapau
tuwhara o te pōkia
whiti mai anō te rā
Whiti
Whiti
Whiti mai te rā.
Hirini Melbourne
The blankets of night are rolled away
The sun shines again. +