Rā Charmian Releases New Bilingual Single ‘Matariki, e ara’
Rā Charmian Releases New Bilingual Single ‘Matariki, e ara’
July 6th, 2026
Auckland musical duo Rā Charmian (Rā Toia Booth and Hayden Booth) are releasing their new bilingual single, ‘Matariki, e ara‘, on 6 July to celebrate Matariki and the Māori New Year.
Written together, the song was inspired by the quiet invitation that Matariki brings each year, to slow down, spend time with yourself, reflect on the people and moments that have shaped you, express gratitude for the year that’s been, and look ahead with hope.
“For us, Matariki is one of the most meaningful times of the year,” say Rā and Hayden. “Life moves so quickly that we don’t often give ourselves permission to stop. Matariki reminds us to sit still for a moment, remember the people we’ve lost, celebrate the people still beside us, reconnect with the natural world, and think intentionally about the year ahead.”
Blending English lyrics with te reo Māori, Matariki, e ara captures those themes of remembrance, gratitude and renewal through gentle contemporary production and intimate storytelling.
Rather than telling one specific story, the song is an invitation for listeners to bring their own experiences into it, whether they’re remembering a loved one, reflecting on the past year, or setting intentions for the year to come.
‘Matariki, e ara’ will be available on all major streaming platforms from 6 July.
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Rā Charmian is the musical duo of Rā Toia Booth (Ngāpuhi, Tainui) and producer Hayden Booth, creating contemporary pop music that blends English and te reo Māori with heartfelt storytelling.
Their recent 2026 single Kia Pūāwai debuted at #15 on the Official NZ Hot 20 Singles Chart and remained on the Radioscope charts for almost three months, peaking at #3. The release received support from radio stations across Aotearoa, including numerous iwi, community and commercial stations, as well as features across television, digital platforms and national media.
As performers, Rā Charmian have appeared at festivals and events across Aotearoa, including the TSB Festival of Lights, Music in Parks, official Auckland Council Matariki celebrations, and the sold-out Titirangi Festival of Music Matariki Show, performing alongside some of New Zealand’s leading musicians. In 2026, Rā Charmian will also perform as part of Auckland Council’s official Matariki celebrations with her six-piece band.
Before forming Rā Charmian, Rā Toia Booth spent almost a decade performing internationally before returning home to Aotearoa. She has since appeared across television and radio, including as the voice of The Breeze’s 2023 New Zealand Radio Award-winning station campaign. Hayden Booth is an award-winning producer, filmmaker and musician whose work has included collaborations with artists such as Stan Walker, Neil Finn and Marlon Williams.