Afterword

Throughout the journey that Hirini and I shared with these instruments, we had many connections through various bird feathers, especially the distinctive amokura feather. This comes from the tail of the red-tailed tropic bird, which was very special to the Máori who migrated here. When they discovered that the amokura does not live in Aotearoa it became even more precious. So I was overwhelmed when Hirini gave me a beautiful amokura tail feather, and even more humbled when I learned that it came from a bird brought here in a tropical storm. He explained that it was retrieved from a special pohutukawa tree where these birds are found distressed and dying after such storms. It can be interpreted that they give their lives to bring us these treasured feathers.

I knew it was hard for him to part with such a treasure so I finally devised a way to return it with honour by carving a double pūtōrino in which the feather rested between the two barrels. Sadly, since he passed away, the feather has disappeared.

The instrument was made especially to hold that feather and remains therefore as a special bond between us. Now I liken the amokura that brought that feather here to Hirini’s life, devoted to bringing us these singing treasures which he shared with all.

I discovered that one of the last songs Hirini had composed included the amokura; he had never recorded it. And just as Hirini looked at those pūtōrino in a museum all those years ago wondering what music they made, I wonder what music he sang to these words. I therefore thank him for the delightful stories that explain the origins of these instruments. I also treasure the memory of his tears when he told me of a recent student who had grown up listening to the singing of Taonga Pūoro and cried when she heard how she had nearly been deprived of that special part of her life.

This book is dedicated to all the coming generations who can now grow up with these treasures, but especially to Hirini and Jan Melbourne’s mokopuna, Te Manukaimiro and Amokura – the loving lullaby that follows was written for Amokura. As with all the songs Hirini composed, only the words were ever written down and little Amokura is probably the only one who has heard it sung.

In the song presented in his own handwriting, Hirini likens Amokura to things most special to him rolled into one precious little bundle.