Ruby Solly - Ātahu

In this SOUNZ Film, Ruby Solly’s ‘Ātahu’ brings together the wxhine taonga pūoro quartet Maianginui (Ruby, with Ariana Tikao, Khali Meari Materoa and Te Kahureremoa Taumata) and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (conductor Vincent Hardaker).

The work is a tribute to, in Ruby’s words, “the first known pūrākau of the whare tāpere; the house of entertainments, and the atua wāhine who used their oro and talents to seek revenge on Kae and his men after their theft of the sacred whale, Tutunui. To us as Māori, it is our evidence that female taonga pūoro players are part of our collective history and future. The tale of Kae and Tinirau with his whale Tutunui is found across the Pacific and features atua and tupuna that connect us as tāngata moana, ocean people. But despite the prevalence of this tale, it is often told through the male gaze despite the strong currents of female power and magic contained within it.”

Audio recorded by RNZ Concert.
Film funded by NZ On Air.