Hine Mokemoke is the atua of the pūtātara, a taonga pūoro (musical instrument) made from conch shell. Once upon a time, Hine Mokemoke crept deep within the sea in search of shelter from a fierce storm that ravaged all around her. Eventually she found the perfect refuge in a shell, but she soon began to feel lonely. Hear the haunting waiata tangi (lament) that Hine Mokemoke sang to express her deep loneliness, and feel how it carried across the waves, drawing others to join her chorus. This is a story of belonging and identity.
Credits:
Narration, Scriptwriting, Animation & Soundscape: Te Kahureremoa Taumata
Consultants: Tamihana Katene, Jerome Kavanagh, Rangatahi Focus Group
Te Reo Māori Translation: Stephanie Tibble
Voice-Over Recording: Phil Brownlee
Produced by SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music
Thanks to Creative New Zealand for providing funding for this animation
© Centre for New Zealand Music Trust