Ka Hao: Tira Waiata (Tikitiki)

Waiata are brought to life by twenty-four talented rangatahi from Tairāwhiti whānui. From gospel to pop, new voices breathe life through song into some of the most sacred spaces in our region.

Waiata is the lifeblood of Māori music in Te Tairāwhiti and Māori music has been propelled globally by passionate rangatahi who are born of proud waiata traditions. Ka Hao follows that trend and unites twenty-four young Tairāwhiti voices from Te Taumata-o-Apanui to Paritu to debut an inspirational showcase of rangatahi aspiration through song.

Using music to inspire whānau to be creative forces for good, this new singing troupe will bring to life the majesty and reverence of some of our beautiful Tairāwhiti churches from Manutuke to Raukokore through song.

From gospel hits to reversioned pop, local Tairāwhiti anthems to fresh unreleased waiata Māori, a night with these rangatahi in our most sacred places is sure to be transcending. Be there to witness the genesis of what will be a new Tairāwhiti youth choir phenomenon.

Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival
Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival is the Gisborne region’s new flagship contemporary arts and cultural event, taking place, for the first time, from 4-20 October this year. Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival will deliver performance events by hundreds of performers from across New Zealand and the Pacific.

The festival celebrates what it means to be of Tairāwhiti and of Aotearoa. It reflects and celebrates the people of the Gisborne region and the East Coast. It reinforces the importance of people and place, and further affirms the region’s strong position in the creative landscape of Aotearoa.

For the full programme and ticketing information, please visit www.tetairawhitiartsfestival.nz.