SINGLE RELEASES
APAKURA
First Single Release 11.08.2023
Renowned, golden-voiced artists Mara TK, Raakai Whauwhau, Victor Hawkins and Ria Hall are set to release the first collaborated single from a 10-track album that honours the land, people, story and survivors of a once-thriving Māori community in Waikato named Rangiaowhia.
Originally a highly prosperous community, Rangiaowhia was known as a peaceful sanctuary of refuge until “a day of terrorism" or “Paahuatanga”, which saw its end in 1864. Recorded as one of the most horrific, but also unacknowledged massacres in New Zealand’s history, an invasion of colonial troops on the 21st of February 1864, resulted in over half of the 200 locals present being left wounded, captured, raped, incinerated and murdered.
Titled “APAKURA”, the debut single is a collaboration between the artists and a group of music students from local school Te Wharekura o Ngaa Purapura o Te Aroha. Doubling as an artist for the album, producer Mara TK says, “This first waiata references the incredible state of the land before the massacre, in all its fullness and prosperous lushness.
Hazel Wander describes the voices in this waiata, stunning with a tune that is hauntingly beautiful, real and so catchy. She thanked everyone involved particularly the artists and the students from Te Wharekura o Ngaa Purapura o Te Aroha who feature on the track. “It is a wonderful gift, a treasured taonga” she then goes on to say that “the waiata, words are healing and uplifting. The flowers in the field are a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives, so thoughtful and simply beautiful, thanks for all the care and everyone's hard work”
A tribute to the survivors of Rangiaowhia and their descendants, the song acknowledges the resilience of Ngaati Apakura and Ngaati Hinetuu and seeks to celebrate their continued existence today.
RANGIAOWHIA
Second single release 13.10.2023
The waiata features Te Haona Kaha Kapahaka Ngaati Apakura descendants. It was recorded primarily at Kahotea Marae in Otorohanga—this waiata's location and creative process concord with the koorero—acknowledging of the descendant's diaspora. The lyrics echo a call for descendants to return.
“Hoki mai e nga uri maheu, ngā ahi teretere”
Artist Hawkins shared - "Rangiaowhia is about the physical presence returning home, those who know their whakapapa.”
Title: ‘Rangiaowhia’ is a call to return home. It is the second single release following the first single, ‘Apakura’, tributing the survivors of Rangiaowhia and their descendants, celebrating their continued existence today from the collective Album expected for release 2024, in acknowledgement of the 160th commemoration of Rangiaowhia.
With lyrics from Mara TK describing the spiritual and physical existence of Rangiaowhia, Rangi is now standing in 'rangi i aowhia', and Ngāhuruhuru is where Papa is lying.
“I a Rangi e tū iho nei, te 'rangi i aowhia'! I a Papa e takoto mai nei, ko Ngāhuruhuru, Ko Rangiaowhia!”
Moepaatu Borell expressed her thanks to the artists - “Nga mihi. Ka akona e au te waiata nei ki taku mokopuna kia rere rawa atu tana aroha tupuna.”
Tom Roa shared - “Kei te nui te mihi ki te wairua auaha e rere nei ki ngā waiata me te haratau o te whai i te kaupapa o te hokia ki te ūkaipō.”
