Koauau, Traditional Handcarved Wooden Flute, Pohutukawa.

This auction is for a unique handcrafted wooden flute, or Koauau. If you have been considering trying these traditional Maori musical instruments but do not want to start with a more expensive one decorated with Whakaairo, this would be a good choice to begin with. I have been crafting these Taonga since 1997, and my aim is to make well-crafted, affordable koauau available to anyone who would like to take up playing them.

Unique, and handcarved from hard, beautiful Pohutukawa wood , with a lovely grain pattern it is quite long at 197mm long x 42mm at the widest point, with a bore of 22 mm tapering to 20mm. The bore has been done from both ends rather than by one long drilling. This gives increased width in the middle making a deeper, clearer tone. The bore and each playing hole have been fire-hardened, and it is finished naturally and polished with NZ beeswax and avocado oil, to showcase the beautiful grain. There are no artificial finishes applied, but some bark has been retained and hardened with cyanoacrylate for durability.

The playing holes each vary in size, with the smallest at the top and the largest at the bottom for optimum sound, however this koauau can also be played from both ends if wished, for a different tonal range. Being made of natural material there may be tiny bumps and cracks, but these do not affect the performance. (see photos)

An original and informative tipsheet is included for those new to playing Taonga Puoro, to get you playing quickly. This taonga has been handcrafted over several days to be played and enjoyed, rather than just admired on a shelf. It is compact enough to take in your pocket, and suits the loneliness of the bush or seashore, or the solemnity of a special occasion. It comes with a small pine stand, and is packed in extra beeswax and avocado oil, so it can continue to take up what it requires. Store out of direct, prolonged sunlight so the wood will not crack.