FROM “OTAKI” TO “DOMINION ROAD” Songs About New Zealand 1 to 5pm, February 6th, 2010

On Saturday February 6th Kiwi FM marks Waitangi Day, 2010 with an afternoon of songs by New Zealand artists about New Zealand.

"Other radio stations can make an effort for Waitangi Day by highlighting New Zealand artists but only Kiwi FM would go further and devote an afternoon to songs actually about New Zealand", says Kiwi FM Programme Director, Michael Higgins.

The afternoon will cover five decades of music from Peter Lewis & The Tri-Sonic Beat's "Four City Rock" in 1959 to Minuit's "Aotearoa" in 2009.

It will feature Maori musicians including Sir Howard Morrison, Dalvanius Prime, Emma Paki, Maitreya, DLT, Moana Maniapoto and Tiki.

There will be songs about New Zealanders including David Lange, Ray Columbus, Lorraine Downes, Sir Edmund Hillary and George Wilder - and places including Queen Street, Kare Kare, Grey Lynn, Cashel Street, Caroline Bay, Takapuna Beach, Cape Turnagain and Parihaka.

"New Zealand music doesn't have to touch on New Zealand themes to succeed", says Michael Higgins, "and it doesn't always get it right when it tries to. There have been some overly self conscious failures in the past; but a great New Zealand song about a New Zealand subject is something special and we think playing some of them is a very fitting way to mark Waitangi Day".

For further information contact:
Michael Higgins - (09) 928-9231
Michael@kiwifm.co.nz