Aotearoa's official music charts are filled with Māori waiata following an influx of Te Reo songs in celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) and as part of the Waita/Anthems playlist.
Sixteen of the songs on the Hot 20 NZ Singles chart are bilingual tracks, with Six60's 'Pepeha' at number one and Sons of Zion, Stan Walker and Muroki all featuring in the top five.
East Coast rangatahi group Ka Hao's songs '35', which features Rob Ruha, takes the number three spot, after the track blew up on TikTok during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.
Lorde's Te Reo EP Te Ao Mārama has also made a strong showing on the charts, with four of the five tracks appearing on the Hot 20 NZ Singles.
The surprise 'companion piece' to Solar Power is number three on the Official Top 20 NZ Albums chart, while the original Waiata/Anthems album, released in 2019, has returned to the list at number 4, and is now certified platinum.
Meanwhile, the Kono EP, featuring waiata from Troy Kingi, Ria Hall, Katchafire, The Nudge, Anna Coddington and Louis Baker has taken the number 16 spot.
Music producer and creator of Waiata/Anthems Dame Hinewehi Mohi said it was a "truly wonderful feeling" to hear Te Reo waiata being played all over the country - on radio, television and from people's cars.
"Hopefully this has inspired artists and audiences alike, to be brave with their waiata and to celebrate our nation's heritage language all year round," she said in a statement.
