Sounds of Aotearoa Come Alive

Our Kererū, Tūī and Pīwakawaka syndicates were treated to a truly special visit that brought the sounds of Aotearoa to life.

All three syndicates enjoyed highly engaging presentations by Bob Bickerton called Te Ao o Taonga Pūoro (The World of Singing Treasures).

Bob introduced students to around 20 traditional Māori instruments (taonga pūoro), including the pūtōrino, kōauau, pūkāea and pūrerehua. The children were fascinated as they listened to the many different sounds each instrument could make, from soft bird like calls and humming tones to strong, powerful sounds that filled the room. Seeing the instruments up close made the experience even more exciting.

Bob also wove pūrākau (traditional stories) throughout his presentation, helping students understand the meaning and history behind the instruments. The sounds brought each story to life and kept students completely engaged.

Students also learned how taonga pūoro were nearly lost and later revived through the work of dedicated artists. The session finished with a waiata, question time, and a closer look at the instruments.

A huge thank you to the parent group for helping support this inspiring experience, which gave our students a deeper appreciation of the unique instruments, stories and sounds of Aotearoa.