Sound Walk: Rediscovering the ways of old

Join Jake Kīanō Skinner for an intimate sound walk that reconnects taonga pūoro with the natural world that first gave them voice.

Departing Te Whare Tapere at 4.00pm, we'll journey together into the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, guided by prominent practitioners of taonga pūoro who will share pūrākau, mātauranga, and live performance along the way.

This hīkoi explores the relationship between rākau and taonga pūoro, tracing the native trees and plants from which these instruments were traditionally created, alongside the manu whose calls inspired their voices. As we move through the gardens, sound becomes a bridge between past and present, between whenua and wairua, inviting us to experience these living relationships in a new way.

Following the walk, we'll return to Te Whare Tapere to whakanoa, a enjoy cup of tea or coffee and biscuits.

This is a free event and everyone is warmly welcome.

While there is no cost to attend, we kindly ask that you register so we have an idea of numbers for the hīkoi and refreshments.

Image by Jemma Mitchell Photography.

Ihirangaranga: Creation & Connection

This event forms part of Ihirangaranga: Creation & Connection, a multi-week programme presented by Te Whare Tapere from 13 August – 5 September, celebrating Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa | Māori Music Month.

Guided by the whakaaro of ihirangaranga, the programme explores sound as a source of connection — carrying memory, wellbeing, and culture across generations. Through music, movement, film, and shared creative experiences, Ihirangaranga invites people to come together, listen, learn, and explore the many ways sound connects us to one another, our communities, and our stories.

Ngā mihi nui to the Farina Thompson Charitable Trust, proudly managed by Perpetual Guardian, for their generous support in making Ihirangaranga: creation & connection possible.