Taonga Puoro

... or traditional Maori musical instruments.

As a musician, Ian combines his love of carving with a study of the traditional Maori musical instruments. The following are a sample of the things Ian's created.

Click on an image to see the detailed image. If you don't see what you like but recognize the quality and workmanship, I accept commissions. E-mail for more information.

"*Price tags*" are shown to let you know what carvings are available and at what price. Please note that items are being sold all the time so it is imperative that you confirm availability (and the charge for pack & post to you). Only then should payment be made via the Orders Page or via PayPal (via link in the confirmation e-mail).

$350 Koauau Trinity	$350 Purerehua Pou	$400 Purerehua Whale

$350 "Karanga Manu" (Pounamu)	$800 "Koauau Kaimoana" (Greywacke)	$150 "Koauau" (Ostrich Bone)

$400 Putorino with Moko (Ostrich bone)	$450 Koauau with Weave and Paua (Ostrich bone)

$1200 Koauau (Pounamu)	$300 Koauau with Scales (Red Gum)	$450 Nguru Fantail (Granite)

$500 Nguru (Whaletooth)	$250 Porotiti (Maire)	$300 Porotiti (Whalebone)

$500 Nguru (Hahei Petrified Wood)	$400 Nguru (Nelson Soapstone)

$450 Purerehua (Takaka Marble)	$1400 Putatara (Conch and Kauri)	$700 Woven Koauau (Ostrich Bone)

$500 Pounamu Purerehua	$400 Koauau Weave	$400 Puupuu Pounamu

Koauau Iwi Moa (ostrich egg)

... and then there's:

Koauau Iwi Moa/Kiwi

This is an exciting rediscovery I made recently whilst making some of these instruments. I had an emu egg on my bench partially carved and it occurred to me to see if it could make a sound. I added an extra hole at the opposite end to the blow hole and a couple of small ones on the side. The sound is awesome! I asked Hirini Melbourne, an expert on Maori instruments, if he had any knowledge of moa or kiwi eggs being uses as koauau. He didn't but a week later, he rang and told me of an archaeologist's discovery of kiwi egg fragments with holes in them. I then obtained some ostrich eggs and the beautiful sound confirmed the strong likelihood that eggs were used for this purpose. Hopefully, this will become a valued addition to the revival of the use and knowledge of Taonga Puoro.