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James

James Webster is of Maori and European descent and is well known as a talented Maori arts practitioner, working with many mediums including wood, bone and stone (sculpting and carving) as well as paint, fibre and metal (mixed media) and Tāmoko (body adornment / tribal tattoo).

Taonga Pūoro: Pōrutu

Pōrutu

Pōrutu are long Kōauau with finger holes near the bottom end giving them the ability to jump between two octaves.

Taonga Pūoro: Karanga Manu

Karanga Manu

Karanga Manu (Stone and Bone) or koauau putangitangi are bird calling flutes. By placing pursed lips at the correct angle the player is able to mimic several kinds of bird calls. As an added attraction a karanga manu can be worn as a very special ethnic pendant.

Taonga Pūoro: Nguru

Nguru

This small instrument (8 to 10 cm) is curved at one end, because originally this flute was made out of a whale tooth. It can also be made out of wood, stone, clay. It has one open end like the koauau and one small opening at the curved end. It has 2 to 4 fingerholes.

Taonga Pūoro: Kōauau Ponga Ihu

Kōauau Ponga Ihu

This is globular flute played with the nose. It is made from the hue/gourd.

Small gourd with top removed and two small holes. Blowing across the top with one nostril produces flute-like sound. This has a sweet sound.

Taonga Pūoro: Kōauau Rākau/Mātai

Kōauau

Kōauau are the most common of all the traditional flutes. Hine Raukatauri (the case moth) is the atua (goddess) / kaitiaki (gaurdian) of the Kōauau. Kōauau are usually made from wood, bone or stone and vary in length but an average one is about 150mm long.

Taonga Pūoro: Pūtōrino / Mātai, kiekie aireal root

Pūtōrino

The Pūtōrino is unique in that it functions both as a trumpet (the kokiri o te tane /male voice) and as a flute (the waiata o te hine / female voice) and is also employed as a conduit for the voice when sung into.

Taonga Pūoro: Pūtātara

Pūtātara

Pūtātara, conch shell trumpet. In less recent time these instruments have had a variety of roles from signalling to ceremonial and ritual use.

Taonga Pūoro: Pūkāea - made of Kauri

Pūkāea

Pūkāea is like a wooden trumpet. Pūkāea were used to announce relay signals at times of conflict and were also used to announce the rituals associated with the planting of kumara (sweet potato) and other crops.