{"id":2276455,"date":"2026-02-10T22:11:41","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T22:11:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2276455"},"modified":"2026-02-10T22:11:41","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T22:11:41","slug":"5-new-zealand-music-acts-keeping-te-reo-maori-alive-and-rocking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/5-new-zealand-music-acts-keeping-te-reo-maori-alive-and-rocking\/","title":{"rendered":"5 New Zealand music acts keeping te reo M\u0101ori alive and rocking"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Looking back over 2025, one of the most powerful events for New Zealanders was the reclaiming of the Guinness World Record for the world\u2019s largest haka at Eden Park.<\/p>\n<p>The crowd was diverse. Some were deeply committed, while others were simply excited to dance. Either way, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AI0Mqqd3CjA\">footage<\/a> from the day clearly signals a growing engagement with te reo M\u0101ori (the M\u0101ori language) within mainstream Aotearoa New Zealand.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Largest Haka - Guinness World Records\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AI0Mqqd3CjA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The mass haka was championed by Hinewehi Mohi, who famously sang the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/e-tangata.co.nz\/arts\/hinewehi-mohi-and-that-anthem-at-twickenham\/\">national anthem in te reo<\/a> and led the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.audioculture.co.nz\/articles\/waiata-anthems\">Waiata Anthems project<\/a>) \u2013 and was supported by New Zealand\u2019s most-streamed band Six60, whose song <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=y_CJFEKNvX8&amp;\">Pepeha<\/a> is often sung in school assemblies.<\/p>\n<p>The event also reflected a broader trend identified in the 2023 <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stats.govt.nz\/news\/census-results-reflect-aotearoa-new-zealands-diversity\/\">census<\/a>, wherein the number of people who speak te reo M\u0101ori grew 15% since 2018. This trend is changing the music landscape of Aotearoa. <\/p>\n<h2>Sounds that reshape the nation<\/h2>\n<p>Music offers us a window into societal thoughts about politics, identity and power. Sounds, lyrics and genres can reflect public tensions, hopes and debates that might not always surface in more formal settings.<\/p>\n<p>In recent years, a number of Aotearoa\u2019s musical artists have used language to build on and reshape our national identity. At the forefront of this cultural shift are two well-loved acts: genre-bending singer-songwriter Marlon Williams and heavy metal export Alien Weaponry.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Marlon Williams - Rere Mai Ng\u0101 Rau (OFFICIAL VIDEO)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Hp8H086FlB8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Both have been reconnecting with te reo in a big way, with documentaries charting their journeys (see <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.maoriplus.co.nz\/movie\/marlon-williams-nga-ao-e-rua-two-worlds\">Ng\u0101 Ao E Rua \u2013 Two Worlds<\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UG0so8VNQLY\">Kua Tupu Te Ara<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>But there are many other exceptional artists also playing their part. And since Spotify Wrapped didn\u2019t quite do our local acts <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rnz.co.nz\/life\/music\/spotify-wrapped-ghosted-nz-music-again-local-artists-and-audiences-deserve-more\">justice<\/a>, we thought we\u2019d provide our personal pick of five musicians doing remarkable mahi (work).   <\/p>\n<h2>Mokotron<\/h2>\n<p>Hailing from Ngati Hine \u201c<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/figure\/A-Te-Ao-Maori-view-of-Aotearoa-New-Zealand-which-is-upside-down-compared-to_fig1_380601514\">down North<\/a>\u201d, Mokotron is the musical project of long-time T\u0101maki Makaurau-based producer and University of Auckland academic Tiopira McDowell. <\/p>\n<p>His Taite Music Prize-winning album <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/mokotron.bandcamp.com\/album\/waerea\">Waerea<\/a> (2024) brings reo M\u0101ori and taonga p\u016boro (M\u0101ori musical instruments) into what he describes as \u201cdark, problematic, trauma-driven M\u0101ori electro bass\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>The track <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ccys_rPum9k\">Ko Wai Koe?<\/a>, which grew out of McDowell\u2019s involvement in Treaty settlement negotiations, is built around the repeated questioning of authority and the legitimacy of colonial power. <\/p>\n<p>The visuals for the track combine hulking M\u0101ori carvings with colonial-themed Space Invaders imagery, reflecting what McDowell describes as his approach to \u201cancient futurism\u201d. It goes off live too \u2013 such as at <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DLlT2MwIkdh\/\">Glastonbury<\/a> and in this <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=30rUWMngBr8&amp;t=5s\">Boiler Room set<\/a> with TeKuraHuia.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"MOKOTRON - KO WAI KOE?\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ccys_rPum9k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2>Theia\/Te Kaahu<\/h2>\n<p>Theia, and her folk leaning alter-ego <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mXvDmg2vlaE&amp;\">Te Kaahu<\/a>, are the stage names of Em-Haley Walker, from the iwi (tribes) Waikato-Tainui and Ngaati Tiipaa. <\/p>\n<p>Theia is a fierce proponent of M\u0101ori language revitalisation \u2013 and was number five on politician and iwi leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer\u2019s <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/nz\/politics\/mps-spotify-wrapped-luxon-loves-zach-bryan-bishop-backs-aussie-rock-band-labour-mps-passion-for-the-pacific\/CFKWA6SGIFCVNLXRDVRMEFPFME\/#:%7E:text=The%20Way%20I%20Am%20%E2%80%93%20Eminem,nui%2Dte%2Dp%C5%8D%20%E2%80%93%20Theia\">end-of-year Spotify Wrapped<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Signed back in 2016 to Warner Music, Theia\u2019s breakout pop track <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=3FW4H_1d-ts\">Roam<\/a> (2016) feels worlds away from her sharp, confrontational 2025 single <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DwcOrFV9U7w\">BALDH3AD!<\/a>, which addresses colonial violence and culminates in the refrain \u201cKa whawahi to, tonu m\u0101tou, ake ake\u201d (\u201cwe will fight on forever and ever\u201d, referencing Ng\u0101ti Maniapoto leader <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/nzhistory.govt.nz\/keyword\/rewi-maniapoto\">Rewi Maniapoto<\/a>).<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"THEIA - BALDH3AD! (official video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DwcOrFV9U7w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Theia\u2019s strong visual aesthetic is highlighted through the Edwardian-esque visuals of her new album <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/holidayrecords.com\/products\/theia-girl-in-a-savage-world-pre-order\">Girl, In A Savage World<\/a> (2025) \u2013 a subversive approach that takes colonial era garb and artfully reclaims it, akin to Dam Native\u2019s 1997 track <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nzonscreen.com\/title\/behold-my-kool-style-1996\">Behold My Kool Style<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>GreatSouth<\/h2>\n<p>GreatSouth (from the iwi of Ng\u0101ti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Te Rarawa), formerly Fable, is a grounded and humble emerging indie-rock artist blending sharp musicality with strong urban foundations.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Please! (Official Music Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Dq8NAM6_4zo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Driven by today\u2019s social and political climate, he speaks openly about M\u0101ori inequities both in his music and on <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reels\/DLhJEqRRlXQ\/\">social media<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>This t\u0101ne (man) crafts his guitar music with taonga puoro, weaving te reo where it feels natural, and \u201csharing his slice of M\u0101ori being\u201d one indie-rock <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.otago.ac.nz\/maori\/world\/te-reo-maori\/waiata-songs\">waiata<\/a> at a time.<\/p>\n<h2>Geneva AM<\/h2>\n<p>Geneva AM (from the iwi of Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana, Ng\u0101ti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Aitutaki, and from Palmerston) is multi-talented. <\/p>\n<p>She is a producer, former indie-electronica band <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=idSLGbyKcoE\">SoccerPractice vocalist<\/a>, former radio DJ and visual artist. In 2025, she released her debut album Pikipiki \u2013 a joyful bilingual project about rising up and moving forward. <\/p>\n<p>Original tracks sit alongside reimagined Aotearoa favourites such as T\u016btira Mai Ng\u0101 Iwi and P\u016brea Nei, and blend a ton of unexpected genres including classical, drum and bass, and emo rock. <\/p>\n<p>The track <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mO_jNIaVRFc\">Toit\u016b Te Tiriti<\/a> champions the 1840 treaty, with strings so emotive they could stir the hearts of anyone \u2013 even if they didn\u2019t attend the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@nzstuff\/video\/7436588684910005505\">nation\u2019s largest march<\/a> in support of the treaty.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Geneva AM - Toit\u016b Te Tiriti ft. Ng\u0101 Whetu Ensemble\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mO_jNIaVRFc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2>Mokomokai<\/h2>\n<p>Mokomokai \u2013 a playful hip-hop collective featuring Dirty (aka Manu Walters), Dusty and Ghos \u2013 is a great microcosm of the changing way te reo M\u0101ori sits within music. <\/p>\n<p>On their 2023 album Whakarehu, the track <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HEwGqhqzkCk\">Kupe<\/a> (featuring Melodownz) name-checks legendary <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linz.govt.nz\/our-work\/new-zealand-geographic-board\/place-name-stories\/maori-oral-history-atlas\/kupe-discoverer\">Polynesian explorer Kupe<\/a> and well-loved singer-songwriter <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/pacific\/che-fu-supergroove-on-the-record\/105063780\">Che Fu<\/a> \u2013 situating the act within an expanding New Zealand hip-hop genealogy.<\/p>\n<p>At the back-end of Melodownz\u2019 verse, his pepeha (tribal saying used to introduce oneself) slots in comfortably. He speaks to his journey as an artist embracing his M\u0101ori identity (as shown in the Waiata Anthems <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.waiataanthems.co.nz\/documentary-series\">documentary series<\/a>, in which everything is linked back to Hinewehi Mohi). <\/p>\n<figure>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"MOKOMOKAI - KUPE (Feat. MELODOWNZ)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HEwGqhqzkCk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2>T\u0101tou t\u0101tou e (all of us, all of us)<\/h2>\n<p>There are many more extraordinary musicians championing te reo, including <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/maofficialmusic.bandcamp.com\/\">M\u0100<\/a>, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/thespinoff.co.nz\/atea\/12-09-2017\/my-te-reo-maori-journey-anna-coddington\">Anna Coddington<\/a>, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/musicbyrei\/videos\/reo-m%C4%81ori-ki-te-ao-\/1378067053437867\/\">Rei<\/a> with his M\u0101ori language degree, and L.A.B. (who recorded their first song <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=maumahara+noa+ahau&amp;ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&amp;vld=cid:9f9c1482,vid:gun7agl-iPQ,st:0\">Maumahara Noa Ahau<\/a> in te reo).<\/p>\n<p>As a nation, we\u2019re getting there, and we can count on our <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.teaonews.co.nz\/2024\/05\/22\/music-as-a-vessel-for-maori-and-welsh-language-revitalisation\/\">musicians<\/a> to lead the way. Let\u2019s not forget, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ehZ_AlaGU6c\">t\u014dku reo t\u014dku ohooho<\/a> (\u201cour language is our awakening\u201d).<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"To\u0304ku Reo T\u014dku Ohooho - Okeroa Huriwaka &amp;Te T\u0101whiro Maxwell\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ehZ_AlaGU6c?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source theconversation.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Looking back over 2025, one of the most powerful events for New Zealanders was the reclaiming of the Guinness World Record for the world\u2019s largest haka at Eden Park. The crowd was diverse. Some were deeply committed, while others were simply excited to dance. Either way, footage from the day clearly signals a growing engagement [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2276456,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25179],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2276455","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/5-New-Zealand-music-acts-keeping-te-reo-Maori-alive.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2276455","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2276455"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2276455\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2276457,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2276455\/revisions\/2276457"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2276456"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2276455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2276455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2276455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}