After 38 hours in transit and a good night’s rest we head out to Titahi Bay to meet up at the home of Mina Ripia, bandleader of the 5 piece all female Maori accapella group Whiri Tu Aka.
The singers in the group have travelled from all across New Zealand to come together for an intimate house rehearsal and its fascinating witnessing the tight connection between the band members, it’s been several months since they last met, but it feels like they have never been away from each other. This tight connection is also reflected in their ego-less singing style in the way their vocals give-way and intertwine with each other to create a tapestry of sound reflecting the modern Maori experience. Along with Mina, the singers in the group are Gaynor Rikihana, Kirsten Te Rito, Betty-Anne Monga and Lisa Tomlins. The girls are clearly excited to be performing together in their mother tongue at a hi-profile concert the following day, February 6th, celebrating Waitangi Day.
Whiri Tu Aka
Whiri Tu Aka performing on stage at the Waitangi Day Celebrations, Wellington
Crowd at Waitangi Day Celebrations in Wellington
selection of Taonga pūoro from the collection of Horomona Horo
As the weather is good we take a drive down to the shores of Titahi Bay and set up for an outdoor recording with Mina, Betty-Anne and Horomono (pictured at top) whose instruments merge with the sound of the waves, birdsong and the sweet harmonies of the singers. Horo encapsulates the spirit of this collaboration best when he quotes an old Maori proverb to me saying...
‘It was in the night when the Gods sang the world into existence …from the world of light into the world of music. However you express it, however you enjoy, however you breath it ...it’s is the music that connects us all’.
Sushil.
Horomona Horo
