Hinemoa was the daughter of a high ranking chief and said to be so beautiful that men from near and afar all desired her as a wife.

One of those men was Tutanekai, of lesser rank but good of heart. He knew the whanau of Hinemoa would never approve of their union and thus hid his love for his puhi, or princess.

Tohunga taonga puoro (traditional Māori instrument expert) Jo'el Komene with a pūtātara (trumpet). Photo: Tracy Hardy

Lovesick, Tutanekai often sat on Mokoia Island's shores and played his flute. The music, imbued with aroha, would dance across the waters of Rotorua to the edge of the lake where Hinemoa would sit.

This was just one of many korero shared by tohunga taonga puoro (traditional Maori instrument expert) Jo'el Komene during a special workshop held at Papamoa Library on Wednesday.

About 15 people, including Kiwi musician Tiki Taane, attended the two-hour long workshop which was one of many events organised by Tauranga City Libraries for its month long Matariki Festival.

It was the second workshop Jo'el's has taken during Matariki and for the Papamoa event he brought along about 30 different types of taonga constructed from bone, shell, wood, stone and clay.

'I spoke a lot about the whakapapa or genealogy that goes along with each instrument, and some of the tikanga about why and when and who would play these instruments.

'Such as the koauau, it was used in the art of ta moko to alleviate the pain or during child birth to do the same thing, by way of distraction, distracting the mind away from the pain.

'Also, by being holding these workshops within the community it helps me to achieve my goal in the revival of taonga pūoro, we've got a bunch of advocates now who can share the message.”

Jo'el with students from Te Wharekura O Mauao during a workshop held at Baycourt community and Arts Centre on June 23. Tauranga City Libraries

Of Ngapuhi and Tapuika descent, for more than a decade Jo'el has travelled the country performing with and teaching others about taonga pūoro.

He says it all started off with a desire to learn to play the taonga, but in order to do that he needed to source one.

'Back then, I wanted to learn how to play the taonga but I needed to make one,” he explains.

'I couldn't afford one from a shops, and besides, more often than not they're not actually playable. For me, it's the voice, or sound of each instrument which is the most important to me.”

Along with learning about the taonga, participants were also given an opportunity to craft their own koauau, or small flute, made from bamboo.

After creating their koauau the particpants were then split into two groups, with each giving a performance to close the workshop.

'They did pretty well, considering the time constraints and all that. About everybody bar one managed to play the koauau.”

Musician Tiki Taane was one of the participants who attended the taonga puoro workshop this week. Photo: Matariki Tauranga Moana/Facebook

If you've yet to get your fill of Matariki there's still a number of events you and the whanau can take part throughout Tauranga.

This includes a Matariki Kite Day, which is a free event and takes place from at Fergusson Park in Matua this Saturday (July 11), from 12pm to 4pm.

The Tauranga, Greerton and Papamoa libraries are also holding workshops for children where they can learn how to craft tiki, masks, and potaka and porotiti (spinning tops and spinning discs).

On the final day of Matariki, 2014 Master Chef Winners Kasey and Karena Bird will also be hosting a cooking demonstration at Papamoa Library on Saturday, July 18.

Next week you can also check out Jo'el and spoken word poet Te Kahu Rolleston who will be performing at the Tauranga Art Gallery on Saturday, July 18.

It is part of the Uku Rere: Nga Kaihanga Uku and beyond exhibition and is being held on the last day of Tauranga's Matariki programme. The two artists will perform in Gallery One and entry is by koha.

For more information about upcoming events for Tauranga Cit Libraries Matariki Festival visit their Facebook page or their website at: library.tauranga.govt.nz