Music Commission News

The Pacific Music Awards Trust are very happy to announce the release of the compilation album from the Hiva Folau Vaka project.

Hiva Folau Vaka – Vaka Carrying Music supports the creation of new original songs in Pacific languages. It is the legacy project for the Pacific Music Awards Trust, created to honour the 20th anniversary of the Pacific Music Awards, and is our contribution to the revitalisation of our Pacific languages. The first phase of the project focuses on the languages of Vagahau Niue, Te Gagana Tokelau and Te Reo Maori Kuki Airani. The project involves a village approach, bringing a collective together for three days, with all the elements provided for the artists, including experienced producers, knowledge holders, language experts and quality recording studios. The gatherings were hosted in Auckland at Big Pop Studios and Wellington at the Ahumairangi Studio at Massey University.

We were blessed with incredible individuals who responded to the call to be part of Hiva Folau Vaka. We are so grateful for the artists for the project, who are: and Vox Dawn. We were fortunate to work with respected producers: Christian Mausia, David Atai, Vince Harder, Tenei ‘10A’ Kesha, NOÉ | Seru Tuivoavoa and Trek One | Lance Wairau-Laga. The Centre for Pacific Languages supported the knowledge holders, who were: Linda Zoll, Selina Patia, Molima Molly Pihigia QSM, Mal Lakatani, Kelekolio Perez, Penehe Tulafono, and Siniva Foua.

We acknowledge the funding received from NZ On Air, which allowed the project to take place; the partnership with the Centre for Pacific Languages, the support from Big Pop Studios and Massey University – Ahumairangi Studio; APRA|AMCOS and Universal Music.

Hiva Folau Vaka is a compilation album like no other, it is an incredible collection of songs. The album is a proud celebration of new original Pacific music honouring the languages of Vagahau Niue, Te Gagana Tokelau and Te Reo Maori Kuki Airani. The album includes intergenerational songs for the whole family to enjoy, providing the connection for families who may be disconnected from each other and from their homelands – or are looking for a new song to fly their flag of home. It beautifully combines multiple languages, traditional to contemporary genres and an all-ages collective of artists. Most of all, We are hoping they will be new Pacific classics for the future. Available Friday 28 November on all platforms – we hope you enjoy, share, love and learn all of the songs on the album.

Stream the album here.

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