Waiata Anthems - 2023 Documentaries

The kaupapa (philosophy) of Waiata Anthems is to celebrate te reo Māori through the power of music. Since the project's launch in 2019, more than 100 te reo Maori waiata have been recorded and released. This collection of short documentaries from the 2023 season explores the te reo Maori journey of 19 musical acts, ranging from translations of existing pop songs from English to te reo Māori (like The Black Seeds and Bleeder) to original te reo Māori waiata (songwriter Geneva AM), to musical collaborations like 'Kārewa' by Muroki and Riiki Reid. The tracks tell stories of love, pain, strength and pride, which are made richer through a te ao Māori lens. Check out the episode guide here.

I would definitely say to anyone else wanting to search for their place, and their culture and the language, to literally just go for it. There is no one timeline, there is no one way. If you want to pursue te reo, it's for you.

– Singer/songwriter Holly Cameron aka Yahyah on reconnecting through te reo Māori

Key Cast & Crew

Keely Meechan

Director
Geneva AM, Yahyah and Jordyn with a Why episodes, Production Coordinator - Muroki & Riiki Reid episode

Te Kuru Dewes

Director
IA episode

Parehuia Mackay

Producer, Director -Majic Pāora and Nikau Grace episodes

Hana Mereraiha

Language Consultant -
Corrella, Mohi, William Singe and Nikau Grace episodes

Luke Penney

Director and Editor -
Swizl Jager episode

India Fremaux

Editor
The Black Seeds and Majic Pāora episodes