Moana and Maori Culture


While in New Orleans, the Moahunters met up with the Neville Brothers, with whom they are still in contact. "We still get Christmas cards from them and when they come to New Zealand, as they did last year, then I hook up with them and spend time with them. We had an enjoyable time in New Orleans with them and one of the songs that they sing when they do their live performances we transformed into "Warriors," our own kind of version which is on the album."

Some of the dominant themes on Rua are spirituality and prophecies, elements which are in evidence on the tracks Prophecies and Bird In A Tree which are inspired by the Maori Ringatu and Ratana faiths. The songs were contributed by Hareruia Aperahama of the Ratana Pa, who sings with Moana on the tracks. "Hareruia Aperahama gave me the song Prophecies and I thought it would be a nice touch to include a Ringatu karakia on the end because that was one of the very strong Maori religions that came into fruition after Pakeha came. The album cover is also full of all the symbols from the Maori prophetic movement."

The theme of spirituality continues to run in the album, with the Catholic hymn Awe Maria (Maori version of Ave Maria) and Hine Tangi-Manawa which Moana performs with her old school choir at St Joseph's Maori Girls College. Not so long ago Moana was seen talking about her convent school past on a television documentary, and this is where the songs originated from.

Moana is obviously committed to Maori tradition, language and culture, but part of her work also involves promoting the anti-smoking message to her people. On Rua, this can be observed in Give It Up Now. "One in two adult Maori smoke, whereas one in five adult Pakeha do, so our smoking rates are pretty tragic and it's pretty much decimating our culture. I was commissioned to do that particular track which was aimed at young people and it they seemed to respond well to it — they enjoyed the video and the music. It's just a constant onslaught that you have to be involved in terms of smoking and Maori."

One of the role models Moana used in her anti-smoking campaign was Tame Iti who is also to be found speaking on the track Moko about the traditional Maori facial art. "I have used him for a

The copyright of the article Moana and Maori Culture in New Zealand Music is owned by Anne-Marie de Bruin. Permission to republish Moana and Maori Culture in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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