The Silence is Over - Taonga Pūoro Treasured Sounds

This documentary explores the renaissance of taonga pūoro (traditional Māori instruments) and celebrates the legacies of late musicians Richard Nunns and Hirini Melbourne. There's a table discussion between musicians and composers Nunns, Gillian Whitehead, Gareth Farr, Moana Maniapoto, Aroha Yates-Smith and jazz performer Jeff Henderson. All incorporate taonga pūoro in their art. Melbourne's whānau remember him and Nunns "playing to the whales"' at Onetahua (Farewell Spit), and Horomona Horo reflects on his musical apprenticeship. The documentary screened on arts show Artsville.

Museums may think they're preserving the life of these, but in another way they are in fact presiding over their death, their musical death. They become mute.

– Richard Nunns on the many taonga pūoro residing in museums

Key Cast & Crew

Gillian Whitehead

Subject

Gareth Farr

Subject

Moana Maniapoto

Subject

Richard Nunns

Subject

Hirini Melbourne

Subject

Yvonne Mackay

Director