People will be able to make, play and learn about traditional Maori musical instruments at a wananga in Wanganui in June.
It is being organised by resident Elise Goodge, who plays taonga puoro herself. The line-up of seven tutors reads like a who's who of the discipline: Richard Nunns, Brian Flintoff, Horomona Horo, Warren Warbrick, James Webster, Jerome Kavanagh and Alistair Fraser.
Ms Goodge's own kaiako (teacher), Richard Nunns, asked her to organise the wananga in Wanganui four years ago. She said it had taken the intervening time to get the credibility needed to obtain sponsorship from Creative New Zealand and Wanganui District Council. That sponsorship pays for the teachers' fees, travel and accommodation.
The council and Whanganui iwi have also sponsored 13 places at the workshop, for a student from each of the region's secondary schools.
The cost to participants is $185 for the three days, June 19 to 21. It covers food, materials for making the taonga puoro and the venue at the Tupoho Community Complex. Rangahaua marae will be used, and Awa FM will record some of the sessions.