Kūkū : a re-imagined fangufangu developed through a Kakala Design Framework : a thesis is presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of : Doctor of Philosophy in Design, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, Ngā Pae Mahutonga, Pōneke, Aotearoa | Massey University, School of Design, Wellington, New Zealand. EMBARGOED until 19 December 2025.

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dc.confidentialEmbargo : Yes
dc.contributor.advisorAdank, Rodney
dc.contributor.authorKaulamatoa, Rachael
dc.date.accessioned2024-10-03T02:05:16Z
dc.date.available2024-10-03T02:05:16Z
dc.date.issued2024-09-23
dc.description.abstractThe fangufangu (nose flute) is a Tongan musical instrument that traces back hundreds of years. Each fangufangu possesses unique physical characteristics, contributing to its distinct sound. Highlighting its historical and cultural significance, one customary use was awakening nobility from slumber. Although rare today, practices of making and performing the fangufangu have been revitalized by Tongan communities in recent years. However, there is limited research on the fangufangu, particularly from a Tongan perspective. This practice-led creative research develops and applies a Kakala Design Framework to holistically and collaboratively explore possibilities of the fangufangu for modern musicians of the Tongan diaspora. The culmination of this research is embodied in Kūkū, a re-imagined fangufangu that enhances specific musical, tangible and visual aesthetics by harmoniously weaving notions of past, present and future. Through an analogue design approach, primary elements of form and material contribute towards enhancing instrument playability and sonic versatility to accommodate use across diverse musical environments and playing styles. Guided by an Indigenised industrial design process predicated on Tongan world-views and values, this exegesis reflects on the collaborative development of Kūkū with Tongan fangufangu practitioners.
dc.identifier.urihttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/71587
dc.publisherMassey University
dc.publisherEmbargoed until 19 December 2025
dc.publisherListed in 2024 Dean's List of Exceptional Theses
dc.rights© The Author
dc.subjectMusical instruments
dc.subjectTonga
dc.subjectDesign
dc.subjectIndustrial design
dc.subjectNew Zealand
dc.subjectTongans
dc.subjectMusic
dc.subjectSocial life and customs
dc.subjectfangufangu
dc.subjectmusical instrument design
dc.subjectKakala Design Framework
dc.subjectDean's List of Exceptional Theses
dc.subject.anzsrc330309 Industrial and product design
dc.subject.anzsrc451313 Pacific Peoples music and performing arts
dc.titleKūkū : a re-imagined fangufangu developed through a Kakala Design Framework : a thesis is presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of : Doctor of Philosophy in Design, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, Ngā Pae Mahutonga, Pōneke, Aotearoa | Massey University, School of Design, Wellington, New Zealand. EMBARGOED until 19 December 2025.
thesis.degree.disciplineIndustrial Design
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy
thesis.description.doctoral-citation-abridgedMs. Kaulamatoa re-imagined the fangufangu (nose flute) for modern musicians of the Tongan diaspora. She developed and demonstrated a Kakala Design Framework to guide her process through an Indigenous lens. The outcome, Kūkū (meaning ‘to coo’) is a handcrafted and customisable musical instrument that enhances ergonomics, sonic versatility and visual aesthetics by weaving together notions of past, present and future.
thesis.description.doctoral-citation-longThe fangufangu is an ancient Tongan musical instrument that traces back hundreds of years. While once scarce within society, Tongan communities have revived fangufangu practices in recent decades. This practice-led research contributes to this movement by developing and applying a Kakala Design Framework to holistically and collaboratively explore possibilities of the fangufangu for modern musicians of the Tongan diaspora. The outcome is embodied in Kūkū, named to honour the gentle coo of the Tongan dove, which the fangufangu emulates. Guided by an Indigenized design process, Kūkū weaves notions of past, present and future to offer a re-imagined instrument.
thesis.description.name-pronounciation(Kaulamatoa) COW-LAH-MAH-TOAH, (Rachael) RAY-CHILL
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