Bic Runga (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine) recorded 'Haere Mai Rā' /'Sway' in te reo Māori for 2019 compilation album Waiata/ Anthems. She returned for the 2021 docuseries of the same name. Runga focusses on "nailing" her song 'There is No Time'/'Kāore He Wā' and continuing her cultural journey. As a Chinese/Māori New Zealander Runga experienced racism firsthand, and faced a backlash when her views on racism in New Zealand hit the headlines in 2004. Runga delivers her "melancholic"' waiata, with a backup band that includes partner (and ex-Mint Chick) Kody Nielsen on drums.
The headline said "Runga: NZ a racist place". You know it didn't really need to be on the front page of the newspaper when I got home, that was a bit devastating. It really knocked me sideways...at first I thought 'ok well I suppose I did say that, but...people were so mad about it.– Songwriter Bic Runga on a 2004 NZ Herald headline based on an interview she gave in France, in episode four of Waiata/Anthems
Raukatauri Productions
Raukatauri Productions
Made with the support of Te Māngai Pāho
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