08 August 2022 - 0 Comments

Waiata Anthems Week 2022 will see 20 of the finest artists in Aotearoa releasing brand new waiata reo Māori, a second season of the Waiata Anthems documentary series, and a wero to us all to take part in a ‘champions of te reo Māori’ campaign via waiata, this September.

The 2022 Line-Up:

Rounding out a cross-genre representation of some of the most inspiring musicians in Aotearoa, some artists and releases featured in Waiata Anthems Week 2022 are:

Rob Ruha - Coterie - Ladi6 - Drax Project - Jackson Owens - Sol3 Mio - Valkyrie - Rory Noble - Dillastrate - Goldsmith Baynes - Riiki Reid - Aotearoa Allstars - Pacific Heights Ft. Stan Walker & Crete - Huia - Origin Roots Aotearoa - Rei - Ria Hall - Mazbou Q - Georgia Lines - Chey Milne - Ia - Papa’s Pack - Yahyah

Artists and releases featured in the Waiata Anthems documentary series on TVNZ+:

Lorde - Tim Finn – Kora - Barnaby Weir - Mikey Dam - Paige

The new recordings will be available on all digital platforms from Friday September 2nd.

Inspiration for 2022:

Waiata Anthems co-founder, Dame Hinewehi Mohi, says the kaupapa continues to be inspired by the many milestones we celebrate in 2022 - including 40 years of Kohanga Reo, 40 years of Te Karere, 50 years of Te Matatini, and 50 years since the Māori Language Petition was presented to Parliament calling for greater recognition of te reo Māori.

“The Waiata Anthems movement salutes these champions of te reo Māori, and the legacy of waiata, to inspire and excite the nation, providing greater access to the language and culture - for all New Zealanders.”

“Our hope is that, no matter where you are on your reo journey, you’ll feel empowered to become a champion of te reo Māori through waiata.”

Sir Tīmoti Kāretu, the country’s first Māori language Commissioner, Petition signatory, OG of kapa haka competition, and mentor for Waiata Anthems, says that waiata provides “the perfect vehicle for te reo Māori, instilled in us by our old people, as a way of connecting with each other and in reflecting our world view, in its purest form.”

Since its inception in 2019, the Waiata Anthems movement has supported the production and release of 100 new waiata, instrumental in the massive ground swell of streaming and broadcast of waiata reo Māori.

“Fifty years ago, it was unthinkable that waiata reo Māori could reach the hearts and minds, radios, phones and devices of so many. Today as a nation, we can reflect on our past and look to a bright future where te reo Māori in popular music is accessible to everybody.

“We hope these waiata become the soundtrack to our daily lives - a way to celebrate the big and small moments,” says Dame Hinewehi.

A Wero to the People:

The Waiata Anthems Week releases will coincide with a social media wero / challenge to celebrate and encourage the revitalisation of te reo Māori at scale.

For all of Mahuru Māori / September, using the hashtag #WaiataAnthems, the people of Aotearoa are invited to share on social media how they incorporate waiata into their everyday lives - whether by playing, streaming or buying waiata, singing along, or sharing it with others.

Waiata Anthems Week will be September 5-11 2022, the week before Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, and the 50th Anniversary of the Māori Language Petition on September 14th. To find out more about how you can become a champion of te reo, go to www.waiataanthems.co.nz. Listen to Waiata Anthems: waiata.lnk.to/WaiataAnthems2022

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