Hirini Melbourne Photo: University of Waikato
Dr Hirini Melbourne of Ngāi Tūhoe and Ngāti Kahungunu was a significant leader in the revival of Māori culture through his waiata and use of taonga pūoro.
The human-like sounds of the taonga püoro reminded Hirini of the voices he heard growing up in Ruatoki, the small rural community on the northern fringes of the Urewera Forest Park.
The break-through came in 1981 when Hirini attended a taonga pūoro wānanga in Te Araroa, organised by Te Puna Waihanga, the Maori Arts organisation. At the hui, he met Brian Flintoff, who’d been making the instruments, and Richard Nunns, who’d been playing them. It was a serendipitous meeting and Hirini began to learn more about the instruments, including how difficult they are to play.
Having learnt how to play the instruments, Hirini’s collaboration with Richard Nunns and Brian Flintoff enabled him to build on his musical compositions inspired by nature, and introduce the sounds of taonga pūoro to the listening public.
Music Details:
MELBOURNE/ NUNNS Improvisation - RNZ
GRINDLAY/ MCNABB Once were warriors theme – Tangata TANG CD 514
MELBOURNE Te Pūtorino a Raukatauri, from Te Wao Nui a Tāne – Huia CD 001
MELBOURNE Te Putorino a Raukatauri, from Forest and Ocean - Viking Sevenseas VPS 496
MELBOURNE/ NUNNS Improvisation - RNZ
MELBOURNE Karanga Weka, from Toiapiapi - Titi Tangiao TT 001
MELBOURNE Pūrerehua, from Toiapiapi - Titi Tangiao TT 001
MELBOURNE/ NUNNS Improvisation - RNZ
MELBOURNE/ NUNNS Raureka, from Different Tracks - Rattle RAT D 003
MELBOURNE Pūrerehua, from Te Ku Te Whe - Rattle RATCD 004
MELBOURNE/ NUNNS Raukatauri, from Te Ku Te Whe - Rattle RATCD 004
MELBOURNE/ NUNNS Hineruhi, from Te Hekenga-ā-rangi - Rattle RAT 010
MELBOURNE/ NUNNS Whanau Marama, from Te Hekenga-ā-rangi - Rattle RAT 010
MELBOURNE/ NUNNS Te Aho Ku, from Te Hekenga-ā-rangi - Rattle RAT 010
MELBOURNE/ NUNNS E Taku Kuru Pounamu, from Te Hekenga a rangi - Rattle RAT 010
MELBOURNE Homai o ringa, from Te Ku Te Whe - Rattle RATCD 004
