The Winter Sessions is a series of three unique music events held within the spaces of City Gallery Wellington and guest curated by Graham Frost. Graham is a freelance curator and art researcher in the fields of Live Art, Performance and Photography. 

Be prepared to be transported to another realm, like being bundled up in a feather cloak of sound. Wellington-based Ariana and Alistair incorporate taonga puoro with Māori waiata and karakia to create a southern-Māori influenced musical experience. "The duo's wide variety of nature-oriented taonga puoro sounds, whether skilfully blown or percussive, provide evocative context and organic perspective" (Songlines, UK) 

This session begins with a conversation between Alistair and Ariana on taonga puoro and their practise, before the performance.

Alistair Fraser is a widely respected player, composer, and researcher of ngā taonga puoro with a performance background that enables him to provide a sensitivity that suits the intimate nature of these remarkable instruments. 

Ariana Tikao (Kāi Tahu) is a musician and writer and was awarded as an Arts Foundation Laureate in 2020. She is a leading player in the taonga pūoro revival, often drawing upon historical kōrero from her ancestors.