Celebrate Maori Language Week – Whakanuia Te Wiki O Te Reo Maori

July 23rd 2012
Today is the start of Maori Language Week - Te Wiki o te Reo Maori ... what better time to immerse yourself in some sweet local music in te reo Maori!

If you haven't already, this could be the perfect day to discover the band Wai. "If ever a New Zealand album called for the roots tag, it is ORA, the latest album from Porirua–based Wai. This music has roots that run deep: all the way to the first musical sounds ever heard in these islands" said Nick Bollinger in the Listener.

Current at Number One on the charts over at Amplifier.co.nz is Whakataka Te Hau by Arohata Women, Anika Moa & Maisey Rika, from the Songs From The Inside soundtrack and Amplifier's album of the week is Toni Huata's new record Hopukia

And if you haven't had the chance to Sing Along with The Yoots - the time could be now!  Scott Kara from the NZ Herald said "this album is a delightfully brassy, bouncy, and at times moochy affair. The cool thing about it is that it's made up of instrumentals of classic Maori tunes for you to sing along to – and your backing band just happens to be most of Fat Freddy's and few of their closest relatives and mates". 


We will be putting up more information about Māori musicians over the course of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.



Some useful links:

Toi Maori

Te Ara – Encyclopedia of New Zealand
 

Te Pūoro Māori Wikipedia

Waiata Maori Music Awards

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