Waiata Anthems - 2023 Documentaries

Episode One: The Black Seeds — 'Koia Ko Koe (So True)'
What was once a traditional love song becomes a celebration of universal love and connection in te reo Māori, when iconic band The Black Seeds revisit their anthemic tune ‘So True’.

Episode Two: Bleeders — 'Tahuna Te Ao Mārama (All That Glitters)'
Hardcore band Bleeders’ punk attitude and Ara Poutama Aotearoa (the Department of Corrections) come together in a surprising connection, to improve the statistics of Māori incarceration and offending.

Episode Three: Chad Chambers — 'Kei Pōhēhē'
Ngāti Porou
When Chad ‘The Boogieman’ Chambers’ hometown, Tokomaru Bay, is devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle, the reggae artist hits the studio to record a poignant new waiata 'Kei Pōhēhē' that pays homage to his hometown and the wairua of the “hearty Ngātis.”

Episode Four: Corrella — 'Ko Au'
Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti He, Ngāti Pūkenga
After years hiding his Māori identity while in the Navy, lead singer Pipiwharauroa Campbell, with his band Corrella, sheds that past shame and proudly embraces the band’s Māori pride with a new waiata reo Māori 'Ko Au'.

Episode Five: Dillastrate — 'Ko Tātou Te Ahi'
Ngāti Porou
Henare Kaa of Ōtautahi based band Dillastrate along with producer Tiki Taane lead us through a stirring exploration of identity, heritage, and resilience.

Episode Six: Geneva AM — 'Iho'
Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa
Geneva Alexander-Marsters taps into the wisdom of te ao Māori during her pregnancy, and has a calm and successful birth. Through her waiata 'Iho', Geneva emboldens fellow Māori mothers to embrace tikanga in childbirth without fear.

Episode Seven: Georgia Lines — 'Te Aroha Mōu'
Georgia Lines opens up about her uncertainty as a Pākehā taking on the challenge of performing in te reo Māori.

Episode Eight: IA — 'Me'
Ngāti Tūwharetoa
In his new waiata, Reti Hedley from indigenous soul music group IA delves into the beauty and self-assurance that te reo Māori can bestow upon its speakers.

Episode Nine: Jordyn with a Why — 'Hey Love', featuring Mohi
Tainui Āwhiro, Ngāti Koata, Mulifanua Lalovi, Falelatai, Vaimoso
Jordyn Rapana’s empowering waiata 'Hey Love' takes inspiration from her journey of reo reclamation and determination to confront intergenerational trauma, so her own tamariki won’t have to.

Episode Ten: Kōkōtea Writing Camp
In early 2023, Waiata Anthems hosted a special songwriting weekend for wāhine Māori in the music industry. Kōkōtea provides a supportive space for Māori female artists and mātanga reo to share their experiences, collaborate and uplift each other while creating waiata reo Māori.

Episode Eleven: Len Blake — 'Te Piringa', featuring Nikau Te Huki and Ngāti Rānana London Māori Club
Living in London, emerging artist Len Blake explores the heartbreak of distance, the need to hold on to cultural connection, and the longing for home, in a captivating new waiata 'Te Piringa'.  

Episode Twelve: Majic, 'Hei Mokimoki'
Ngāti Whātua ki Tamaki, Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara, Ngāpuhi, Te Aupōuri
Singer Majic Pāora crafts music to inspire her iwi and provide a positive example for her tamariki.

Episode Thirteen: Mohi Allen — 'Me Pēhea Rā'
Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa
With his new waiata reo 'Māori Me Pēhea Rā' about to drop, Mohi confronts his dedication to Māori music, questioning whether making music in English might be an easier career choice.

Episode Fourteen: Muroki & Riiki Reid — 'Kārewa'
Ngāti Porou
Muroki and Riiki Reid team up to record their first original composition in te reo Māori – a heartfelt waiata for those going through a tough time.

Episode Fifteen: Nikau Grace — 'Tōkū Tuakiri'
Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui
Flying fearlessly in the face of those who’ve judged her for not appearing Māori enough, up and coming young singer Nikau Grace finds connection with her taha Māori through music and a little bit of help from her nana.

Episode Sixteen: Riiki Reid — 'Te Tāone' ('The City')
Ngāti Porou
As a wahine Māori in the music industry, Raquel Abolins-Reid aka Riiki Reid has a desire to have her taha Māori represented as an integral part of her identity as an artist. This year, that involves translating a reo Māori version of her popular song ‘The City’, a challenging and invigorating experience that has given her a newfound confidence and pride in who she is.

Episode Seventeen: Swizl Jager — 'Hīnaki'
Ngāi Te Rangi, Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa
Nikora Edwards (aka Swizl Jager) embraces his unique identity and refuses to succumb to invisible boundaries. Artist Nikora challenges accepted narratives through his art, personal journey and bilingual raps.

Episode Eighteen: Tini Whetū — 'Tū Mai Rā'
Amidst a rising tide of youth suicides in the Wairarapa region, a group of young Māori, led by Tawaroa Kawana, unites to compose a poignant song that celebrates their iwi of Rangitane.

Episode Nineteen: William Singe — 'Whānau'
Ngāti Porou
Commercial success made William Singe lose his sense of self. At his lowest point, Will turns to his whakapapa and finds the connection he’s been lacking with his first te reo Māori single, 'Whānau'.

Episode Twenty: Yahyah — 'I Like You'
Ngāti Raukawa
Once self-conscious of her fair skin, pop singer Yahyah (aka Holly Cameron) finally lets go of her insecurities and sings in te reo Māori to honour her heritage and connect with her late mother.