Bring Taonga Pūoro to Japan!

Te Rōpū Kaitito Puoro o Aotearoa/The Composers Association of New Zealand is a non-profit professional organisation for composers and music makers across Aotearoa. We have partnered with the Japanese Composers Federation (JFC) to present a concert of New Zealand works for taonga puoro in Japan.

When CANZ hosted the International Society of Contemporary Music (ISCM) World New Music Days festival in 2022, we were very proud to present taonga puoro to an international audience multiple time. We opened the festival with a mihi whakatau and presented an entire concert dedicated to taonga puoro entitled 'Te Hau', featuring compositions both from Aotearoa and abroad.

This exposure succeeded in creating a significant amount of interest in the artform from our international visitors, in particular the attending representatives from the Japan Federation of Composers (JFC). JFC subsequently made plans to create a concert in Japan that would specifically feature taonga puoro, sharing this very special set of instruments, sounds, and cultures with Japanese audiences. This opportunity would be the first ever performance of taonga puoro in Japan, and is planned for March 27th 2024.

In cooperation with JFC, CANZ has solicited the inimitable Horomona Horo to be our cultural ambassador for this performance. He would be performing Gillian Whitehead's Hine-pu-te-hue, Philip Brownlee and Ariana Tikao's Manaaki, as well as his own composition, He Rau Pikinga. This will be a unique opportunity to showcase New Zealand music to the world.

How does your donation help?

The JFC have offered financial support from their end toward making this cultural exchange a reality, but a trip across the world like this has a number of costs associated with it, including flights, performer fees, accommodation, per diems, local transport etc. Your support is needed to make this significant and unprecedented performance a reality.

Our funding goal will allow us to cover our portion of the basic costs of making the performance happen, but our stretch goal will provide much deserved remuneration for this wonderful performer to undertake this far-reaching mahi.

Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated by CANZ and the wider Aotearoa music community - thank you!