More than two dozen New Zealand artists have released new songs in te reo Māori for Waiata Anthems week, celebrating the bilingual music scene in Aotearoa.
Stan Walker, Six60, Hollie Smith, Troy Kingi and Paige are among the many musicians contributing their waiata to the initiative, following on from the success of the 2019 Waiata/Anthems compilation album.
Creator of Waiata/Anthems Dame Hinewehi Mohi said the music industry of Aotearoa coming together to establish a truly bilingual landscape is heartening.
"We're supporting the movement with musicians from across the country to encourage all New
Zealanders to celebrate our nation's heritage language and to make it accessible through the power of music," Mohi said in a statement.
"Creating this collection of waiata has been a journey for many of the artists involved, giving
them a chance to connect with Te Ao Māori and their place in Aotearoa like never before."
Earlier this week, Stan Walker told Newshub that re-recording his 2013 'Take It Easy' as 'Tau Te Mārire' was something he would have never thought possible at the time.
"It didn't even cross my mind," he said.
Walker, who on Wednesday announced he would be releasing an entire Te Reo Māori album called Te Arohanui later this month, said that singing in his native tongue was "healing, uplifting and empowering".
"Our reo brings life to the world. It brings life to me. It's an honour to have been gifted this taonga," he said.
The full list of Waiata/Athems releases is as follows:
SIX60 - 'Pepeha'
Stan Walker - 'Tau Te Mārire / Take It Easy'
Hamo Dell - 'Ora Ai / Feeling Right'
Paige - 'Taiāniwha / Waves'
Niko Walters - 'Aroha Kaitangata / Vicious Love'
Mikey Dam - 'Māu / Would You'
Anna Coddington ft. Louis Baker - 'Aho / Beams'
Muroki - 'Rehurehu / Wavy'
Reuben Fleetwood - 'Haere Rā / So Do You''
Sons of Zion - 'He Aroha Hinemoa / Love on the Run'
Hollie Smith feat. NZSO - 'Ko Te Hīnātoretanga / Coming in from the Dark'
Troy Kingi - 'Te Wai Nō Rua Whetū / Aztechknowledgey'
Ria Hall - 'Rangatira / Owner'
Tomorrow People - 'Rise Up'
Valkyrie - 'A Hakamana'
Rei - 'Hoki Mai / Come Back To Me'
Huia Hamon - 'Marama La Luna / Moon Moon'
Ka Hao ft. Rob Ruha - '35'
Louis Baker - 'Te Utu o Te Aroha'
Georgia Lines - 'Tōrere / My Love'
Tama Waipara ft. Maisey Rika - 'Tiaho Iho Rā / East Coast Moon'
William Waiirua - 'Mauri Mahi, Mauri Ora / Do The Mahi, Get The Treats'
Diaz Grimm - 'Te Kore'
Goldsmith Baynes - 'Tīpuna'
Ainslie Allen - 'Te Ua Ka Mao'
IA - 'Whetū'
Kings - 'Pohewatia'
