Story: Māori musical instruments – taonga puoro

Playing the nose flute, 1923

Playing the nose flute, 1923

The kōauau may be played either with the mouth or the nose. In 1923 Āporo of Gisborne was photographed and recorded playing his kōauau by stopping one nostril with his thumb and blowing through the other. 

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: MA_B.002227
Photograph by James Macdonald

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Brian Flintoff, 'Māori musical instruments – taonga puoro - Melodic instruments – the family of Rangi', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/42160/playing-the-nose-flute-1923 (accessed 29 May 2023)

Story by Brian Flintoff, published 22 Oct 2014