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Title / Make taonga puoro
Level / 4 / Credits / 6
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: demonstrate knowledge underlying construction of taonga puoro; demonstrate skills in a related craft specifically required in the construction of at least one taonga puoro; apply knowledge of construction of taonga puoro; and construct two taonga puoro.
Classification / Māori Performing Arts > Taonga Puoro
Available grade / Achieved
Entry information
Recommended skills and knowledge / Unit 15025, Demonstrate knowledge and skills of taonga puoro, or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
It is recommended that people undertaking this unit standard consider working towards unit standards at Level 3 or above from the subfield Reo Māori,or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
Explanatory notes
1Due to the wide range of skills involved in applying knowledge of construction of taonga puoro, it may be prudent to modify existing tools to use in the construction.
2In this unit standard a person does not have to play taonga puoro, but the taonga created must be capable of being played.
3In this unit standard holistic ability is judged, not just the end product.
4Related craft in the context of this unit standard may include but is not limited to – whakairo, whatu, raranga, ngā toi ataata, mahi uku.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge underlying construction of taonga puoro.
Rangetwo different taonga puoro, one composite and one single.
Evidence requirements
1.1Demonstration recognises the features of different materials that achieve quality of sound.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – resonance, carving and finishing potential, seasonal knowledge.
1.2Demonstration includes the ability to select materials suited to the construction of specific taonga puoro.
Rangeselected materials include any two of – wood, stone, bone, shell, vegetable.
1.3Demonstration recognises the use of technology that could contribute to construction of taonga puoro.
Rangeat least three examples of technology used.
1.4Demonstration explains the origins, purposes, and use of karakia in construction of taonga puoro.
Rangecollection, construction, completion.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate skills in a related craft specifically required in the construction of at least one taonga puoro.
Evidence requirements
2.1The use of a related craft is explained in relation to the construction of taonga puoro.
2.2Skills of the craft are demonstrated which enhance the construction process.
2.3Skills of the craft are utilised in the construction of at least one taonga puoro.
Outcome 3
Apply knowledge of construction of taonga puoro.
Evidence requirements
3.1Knowledge of functional design is applied in planning for the construction of two taonga puoro.
Rangetwo of – oral, written, visual.
3.2Knowledge of aesthetic design is applied in the construction of two taonga puoro.
Rangetwo of – oral, written, visual.
3.3Application includes use of a range of tools for taonga puoro construction.
Rangetwo different hand tools, two different mechanised tools.
3.4Application utilises methods of construction for two taonga puoro.
3.5Application utilises knowledge of maintenance of tools and of taonga puoro.
3.6Knowledge of tool making for taonga puoro construction is explained.
Rangemodification, improvisation, invention.
3.7Application includes evidence of safe practice.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – correct use of tools, safety of self and others.
Outcome 4
Construct two taonga puoro.
Evidence requirements
4.1Construction enhances design features.
4.2Visual presentation enhances aesthetic design plans.
4.3Taonga puoro exhibits the full capacity of such an instrument.
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 1 September 1998 / 31 December 2015
Revision / 2 / 13 November 2001 / 31 December 2015
Revision / 3 / 14 April 2005 / 31 December 2015
Rollover and Revision / 4 / 19 November 2010 / 31 December 2017
Rollover / 5 / 14 December 2012 / 31 December 2019
Rollover / 6 / 21 May 2015 / 31 December 2019
Review / 7 / 20 April 2017 / 31 December 2019
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0149
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
NZQA Māori Qualifications ServicesSSB Code 194 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018 / / New Zealand Qualifications Aut