Music Industry News

Play It Strange is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Waiata Māori Songwriting Competition for high school students in Year 9-13. This year’s competition attracted entries from all over the mōtu, and the talent shown throughout the winners further pushes the remarkable strength, array of powerful stories and deep passion into music that we have amongst our rangatahi in Aotearoa.
Play It Strange CEO, Stephanie Brown states:
“This is the second year we have run the Waiata Māori competition – and the quality of entries has blown us all away. Such beautiful waiata have been entered from across Aotearoa – and we can’t wait to hear the winners final tracks”
Each song was reviewed by the dynamic judging duo of New Zealand icon Dame Hinewehi Mohi and powerhouse rapper/producer Kings, who will also go on to mentor the winner. They are proud to share that from these entries; 5 outstanding waiata were selected as winners.

Competition judge Kings says about the judging process:
“Such epic songs man. What a journey. So much talent!”
All 5 winners receive a full day in a professional recording studio of their choice to record their waiata.
First place goes to Ihaka Whanarere-Tauri of Manukura School in Manawatū-Whanganui with his waiata ‘Tai o Mate’.

Competition judge Dame Hinewehi Mohi says about listening to these waiata:
“Continuing the rich legacy of waiata reo Māori, making us proud Ihaka, and Manukura. Kei runga noa atu!”

Competition Ihaka Whanarere-Tauri says:
“Ko te waiata nei, he whai whakaaro ki ngā mate kua haoa nei e te kupenga o Taramainuku. Rātou kua riro i ngā rangi, i ngā wiki, i ngā marama tata nei. Tera ia ko te kuia o te Awa o Whanganui, te kahurangi o te motu, a Tariana Turia. Tera ia ko te uri o Rangitāhuahua whare, a Pakaitore Turia. Te raukura o Ngati Hine o Te Rā, o Ngā Paerangi, a Te Terenga Whanarere. Rātou katoa kua tiwha ki tua o hawaiki hou, tēnei te tangi atu nei ki a rātou.”

“This song is paying homage to those who’ve gone before us. Those whom we’ve lost in the past few days, weeks, and months. Tariana Turia, Pakaitore Turia, Te Terenga Whanarere, and everyone else who has passed away. This is a form of crying out to them and remembering all the memories and things they’ve done for us who are still here on earth.”

Tēnei au he uri, he pia, he aro, he tamatāne nō ngā wai tukukiri o Whanganui, nō ngā whāwhārua o te Pā o Rātana, nō ngā whenua taurikura o Kahungunu ki te Wairarapa, nō ngā hau kōkōtea o Ngāti Kahu anō hoki. Tēnei taku reo whakamānawa te rere atu nei ki a koutou, e aku rangatira, tēna tātou katoa.

Ihaka grew up immersed in kapa haka from a young age, gaining recognition for his incredible poi skills from viral social media clips at just 11 years old. His passion for his culture is evident through this winning track, and he is sure to have a very bright future ahead of him.

Ihaka will also receive:
• A 1:1 mentoring session with Kings
• A $1000 Rockshop gift card
• Media interviews and radio play on 95bFM
• An Online Artist Development Session with Sacha Vee
• And a performance at Play It Strange’s Annual Awards

The top five include Waimarama Kākā-Nesbit from Western Springs College with ‘Taku Tai Aroha,’ Oliver Livingstone & Haritoa Waaka from Wellington College with ‘Intertwined/He Hono Tangata,’ Salem Māhia Randall from Gisborne Boys’ High School with ‘Ka pō, ka ao, ka awatea,’ and Kaiaia Hawk, Rawinia Morehu, Devon McIntyre & Puna Shortland-Theodore from Western Springs College Ngā Puna o Waiōrea with ‘Taku Whetū.’

All finalists will become part of the Play It Strange alumni community, gaining access to performance opportunities, mentoring, ticket giveaways, backstage experiences, and lots more throughout the year!

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Established in 2003, Play it Strange runs annual national songwriting competitions for high school students, with finalists awarded a day in a recording studio to professionally record their songs. Play it Strange releases these songs onto digital albums and provides mentorship and performance opportunities to further develop young artists in Aotearoa. Their alumni list includes Kimbra, Georgia Nott of Broods, Liz Stokes of The Beths, Frankie Venter, Annah Mac, Louis Baker, CHAII, Luca George, Ratbag and so many more.