Interview: Elizabeth Gray on the Whakapapa of Sound

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A dream to hear the sound of taonga pūoro and te reo Māori normalised in households set Elizabeth Gray on a path to becoming a debut author. Elizabeth Gray (Ngāti Rēhia, Ngāti Uepōhatu, Tama Ūpoko ki te awa o Wanganui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is a taonga pūoro practitioner, director of the Haumanu Collective and author of the new te reo Māori picture book Hineraukatauri me Te Ara Pūoro. The story charts the journey of Hineraukatauri—a chrysalis who is bestowed with different components of music—and how the beautiful sounds of taonga pūoro are breathed into being. Elizabeth Gray talks with The Sapling about her journey and the journey of this book.

The Sapling (TS): How did you first come to know of Hineraukatauri? And what inspired you to write this story?

Elizabeth Gray (EG): My journey with Hineraukatauri began nineteen years ago when I had the privilege of learning about taonga pūoro from the esteemed Rangiiria Headley, a lecturer at the University of Waikato. Rangiiria opened my eyes and ears to the enchanting world of taonga pūoro. Years later, when the Haumanu Collective sought to create books that would give back to our community, I knew this was my chance to honour the teachings of Rangiiria and craft a taonga pūoro resource for my children and others like them. With the guidance of Huia Publishers, I embarked on an incredible journey to become an author of children’s literature.

TS: Why did you choose to tell this story through the medium of a book? And what was the writing process like for you?

EG: As a reo Māori speaking family, we cherish storytime before bed immersing ourselves in as many reo Māori books as possible. Yet, we noticed a void – there were no modern stories about taonga pūoro. The Haumanu Collective was innovatively bringing taonga pūoro into the home, and I realised that sharing these instruments through storytelling could help fill that gap. I seized the opportunity to weave as much of our Māori world as possible into this book. After refining the narrative, the words flowed onto the page. Partnering with Huia Publishers, we found the perfect illustrator, Rehua Wilson, to bring the scenes from my imagination to life.

TS: You are a member of the Haumanu Collective, a group dedicated to the making and playing of taonga pūoro. Can you tell us about the collective and why it exists?

EG: The Haumanu Collective was born in 1991 from the vision of Hirini Melbourne and like-minded taonga pūoro enthusiasts. As a member for the past four years, I’ve witnessed our collective grow and flourish. Our mission is clear: to normalise taonga pūoro in the home. We’ve created a website, produced two podcast series, released an album, and now, we’re thrilled to share this book. Haumanu Collective exists to ensure that the sounds of our ancestors continue to resonate in our daily lives.

Haumanu Collective exists to ensure that the sounds of our ancestors continue to resonate in our daily lives.

TS: The book features taonga pūoro practitioners from the Haumanu collective including the late Dr Hirini Melbourne. Why was it important to you to include these people in the story?

EG: Acknowledging our teachers and guides is vital. As the founder of Haumanu, it was essential to honour the legacy of Matua Hirini. The book is a journey through the whakapapa of sound. To complete that journey, we need the voices of our masters. Having Matua Hirini play the Pūtōrino Hineraukatauri in the story perfectly captures the essence of that unbroken lineage of sound.

TS: What was your first experience of taonga pūoro? And how did it impact where you are today?

EG: My first encounter with taonga pūoro dates back to the 90s when my family was deeply involved in the Tira Hoe Waka along the Whanganui River. The soulful sounds of the Pūmoana still echo in my memory. But it was a chance discovery in our backyard thirty-three years ago that sparked my true curiosity – my brother and I unearthed a conch shell! With some creativity and love from my parents, that shell became my first taonga pūoro. This experience, followed by meeting Rangiiria Headley in 2005, set me on a path that has shaped my life’s work and deepened my connection to our atua and our ancestors.

TS: There seems to be a growing movement around the art of taonga pūoro. What is the connection for you between the revitalisation of taonga pūoro and the revitalisation of te reo Māori?

EG: Every action we take that embraces the Māori worldview strengthens te reo Māori. Taonga pūoro is a precious taonga tuku iho, and the more we share it, the more we contribute to the flourishing of our language. The revitalisation of taonga pūoro and te reo Māori are intertwined, each nourishing the other.

TS: Earlier this year you took Hineraukatauri me Te Ara Pūoro to Hawai’i as part of the New Zealand delegation to the thirteenth Festival of Pacific Arts. What was your biggest takeaway from being there?

EG: As a taonga pūoro practitioner, I’m comfortable sharing our traditions. But as a debut author, I was nervous about attending FestPAC. My biggest takeaway was the profound connections forged with our Indigenous Pacific brothers and sisters. It reminded me that our stories, though unique, are part of a larger tapestry of Pacific resilience and creativity.

TS: What is your aspiration for the story of Hineraukatauri me Te Ara Pūoro?

EG: My heart’s desire is for Hineraukatauri me Te Ara Pūoro to find a home in every Māori household, inspiring our tamariki to fall in love with taonga pūoro and the magic of storytelling. I hope this book will be the spark that ignites a passion in our young ones to explore, create and carry forward the traditions that make us who we are.

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