Waiata Magazine Issue 5 released

August 30, 2013

Waiata Magazine Issue 5 released

The Queen of Loops, Mihirangi Fleming, features as the cover story in Issue 5 of Waiata Magazine, the publication supporting the National Waiata Maori Music Awards.

The digital and print versions of the magazine were released and distributed around New Zealand this week.

Mihirangi speaks about her experience at the inaugural New Zealand’s Got Talent contest, her plans to move back into television and how taonga puoro, traditional Maori music instruments, and te reo Maori provide a point of difference international audiences are enjoying.

Issue 5 of Waiata also highlights the 16 finalists in the Open Section of this year’s National Waiata Maori Music Awards, which will be held at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House in Hastings, from September 12-13, 2013. The award winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on the evening of September 13.

The magazine also has stories on the award recipients of the Nominated Section, which includes 1970s band Golden Harvest, recognised for its contribution to the music industry; Rotorua woman Ngamoni Huata, reocignised for her work in Maori performing arts and the Waipatu Catholic Maori Culture Group, which has been operating for six decades and launched the careers of such performers as Howard Morrison.

Singer and songwriter Anna Coddington, who won the Best Maori Female Solo Artist award, at the 2011 Waiata Maori Music Awards, writes about generating the best results from using social media to promote music.

Sydney-based Kiwi musician Ronnie Lavender (The Kumpnee) reviews the number of New Zealand artists working to make it in the industry across the ditch in Australia.

Another Sydney-based act, trio Young Men Society, will be in Hawke’s Bay performing at a number of schools during the first two weeks of September, ahead of its appearance as a guest performer at the Waiata Maori Music Awards ceremony.

Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre founder Tama Huata speaks about the group’s 30th anniversary celebrations and the album the company has produced to market the milestone.

Mr Huata says the group has also re-recorded an earlier Kahurangi song especially for the Nga Pou O Heretaunga project, which is also the subject of a special feature in Waiata magazine.

The pou project involved 18 marae from around the Hastings district, which have come together to produce 18 pou. Each carved figure represents an ancestor from each of the marae and the monuments stand outside the Hastings Civic Centre, marking the beginning of the redevelopment of the Civic Centre by the Hastings District Council.

Waiata also speaks to well-known showband legend, Rim D.Paul, who will conduct the Rotorua Maori Choir when it appears as a guest performer at this year’s awards ceremony.

The magazine also profiles reggae leaders Katchafire, also a guest performer at this year’s awards ceremony, and also speaks to NRG Rising about its latest music video for a song exploring the significance of Moko Kauae.

New Zealand On Air music manager Brendan Smyth writes about how music is promoted across multiple platforms and where Kiwis access music.

Music reviewer Tania McCauley looks over eight album selections and reporter Amy Shanks speaks to Smashproof about its long-awaited second album.

For more information visit www.waiatamaoriawards.co.nz

ENDS

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