Herbs - Songs of Freedom

Reggae band Herbs hold a special place in the history of New Zealand pop music, mixing feel-good rhythms with burning social and environmental issues. The original line-up consisted of five musicians from across the Pacific. Their string of hits in the 80s and 90s helped Aotearoa forge a new Pacific identity. For this documentary director Tearepa Kahi (Poi E: The Story of Our Song, Mt Zion) captures the band's reunion, and interviews key members about the protest movement that lit a fire under the group, their chart topping success, and famous collaborations. 

It's one thing to hold a placard, chant and march against a dragon. It's another to pick up a red guitar and slay the dragon with reggae, and that's Herbs.

– Producer Reikura Kahi on Herbs and the power of their music, The NZ Herald, 17 June 2019

Key Cast & Crew

Tearepa Kahi

Director, Executive Producer, Editor

Reikura Kahi (née Morgan)

Producer

Cliff Curtis

Producer

Chris Mauger

Cinematographer

Dave Dobbyn

Subject

Charlie Tumahai

Subject