Fade Away/E Kore E Motu

In this Waiata Anthems clip, Che Fu performs soul classic 'Fade Away' in te reo Māori, as 'E Kore e Motu’. The song was translated into te reo by Māori Phrase a Day author Hemi Kelly (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whaoa). 'Fade Away' was originally written about Che Fu's close friend Eruera Mita, aka Bobby Mita, who featured in the opening scenes of the original video. The song now becomes an ode of loss, with the passing of both Mita and Che’s late mother Miriama Rauhihi-Ness (Ngāti Whakatere and Ngāti Raukawa), an activist for Māori and Pacific rights. ‘E Kore e Motu’ featured on episode six of Waiata Anthems.

These are stories of empowerment, in accessing te reo Māori through waiata, not just for the artists but for their audiences too. The fact that these talented musicians were prepared to embrace the challenge to do this, makes a statement about our nation’s growing confidence and pride in our unique cultural identity, that we can all share and celebrate.

– Producer Hinewehi Mohi on web series Waiata'Anthems, in a 21 April 2021 press release

Key Cast & Crew

Hēmi Kelly

Translator

Julia Parnell

Director, Producer

Sophie Coombs

Editor

Olly Harris

Cinematographer

Corinna Hunziker

Co-Director

Hinewehi Mohi

Producer