Every Tuesday, the Ukulele Nannies gather together for band practice in Tauranga Moana - an appointment they look forward to and don't want to miss.
Verna Ohia-Gate's whanau-based ukulele group are all fans of the instrument and hooked on its four-string sound.
"There's something special about it. People think the ukulele is complicated. I say, 'have a go, it's a lovely instrument'," Ohia-Gate, Ukulele Nannies' founder, tells The Hui.
It was Ohia-Gate's music-loving mother, 92-year-old Tirikawa Ohia, who encouraged her daughter to form the band before she passed in 2018.
"We used to have great times with mum. She pretty much said to me, 'get this going Verna', and then a lot of aunties were saying, 'come on, let's start'. It pretty much started from there," says Ohia-Gate.
"Mum's whakaaro was to share what I knew."
As well as popular hits, the group pay tribute to Ohia-Gate's mum with her favourite waiata Māori.
The ukulele group isn't the only gift Tirikawa passed down to Ohia-Gate.
The 70-year-old has recently been given the role of kaikaranga for her Tauranga marae, Te Whetū o Te Rangi.
"It's very special because it's a rakau that mum gave me, so I have to do it, as the oldest girl of the family," Ohia-Gate says.
"When people say, 'oh you sound like your mother'. Oh my god! Well, it is in my DNA I suppose. It's a great compliment, so I know I'm doing OK."
The marae is also where the roopu play regular gigs for kaumātua.
"I just think it gives them joy, they forget what illnesses they have," she adds.
Most of the ensemble is related. At 85, Aunty Jana is the group's ruahine, while Ohia-Gate's aunt, Mere Clark, learned to play the ukulele at age 70.
"I knew most of the chords in the guitar, but I didn't know the chords on the ukulele... so through Verna, she taught us the chords. That's how I started and I'm thoroughly enjoying it," says Clark.
The Ukulele Nannies are attracting a loyal following, playing gigs and at special events around the motu. Recently, audiences may have noticed a few koro getting in on the act too.
"We have two males that have come on board and they're quite happy to be part of the Ukelele Nannies, so we're happy with that," Ohia-Gate says.
Robert Manihera was introduced to the roopu after he tried to find a ukulele band for his wife's unveiling.
He loved it so much he joined the Nannies, and since retiring he says his new passion gives him a sense of purpose.
"Just being part of a roopu who gives you love, who gives you something to do. I get up every Tuesday and I look forward to the practices," Manihera says.
Last year Conrad Hawira came onboard, and in that time the group's only male musicians have developed a strong bond. Both have survived strokes and are amazed at the healing properties of playing the uke.
"It's just the bomb. It's one of those things - you pick it up and you don't want to put it down once you start playing it," says Hawira.
"We decided that this group will be about wellbeing, encouraging them to recuperate or to help them recover from whatever their mamae is. It's working, I mean even for myself I've had bad arthritis, instead of going to the physiotherapist I just say 'play your ukelele'," Ohia-Gate adds.
Ohia-Gate is proud of what they've achieved together, keeping the music playing in memory of her beloved Mum.
"Verna's been the glue. She's our inspiration and got us all going and shared her knowledge on playing the ukulele to us. She knit us all together and out of that korowai comes these beautiful noises, sounds and songs. We might be the ones paddling, but someone has to steer us in the right place, in the right direction," Manihera says.
"It's amazing hauora kaupapa for anybody, I just think it gives them joy," Ohia-Gate says.
Made with support from Te Māngai Pāho and NZ On Air.
