11 November 2023 - 0 Comments

Riqi Harawira (Ngāpuhi, Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa) releases today his reggae rock fusion track Stormy Weather. Written about his adopted home of Hawkes Bay and Cyclone Gabrielle, which devasted communities there and around Aotearoa, Stormy Weather tells a powerful and hopeful story of a community resilience and coming together to mend.

"Lend a hand to those in need, yeah, plant the seeds.

Waiohiki, Esk Valley, Takami Makaurau, Te Awa, Ahuriri, Karanema, Omahu and Coromandel,

Taupo, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wairoa, Pakowahi, Tairawhiti, Tai Tokerau, Tangoio."

Riqi Harawira witnessed Cyclone Gabrielle’s devastation firsthand, working as part of the Te Taiwhenua cleanup team in Hawkes Bay helping the Omahu and Waiohiki communities.

“My greatest desire as a songwriter is to uplift and inspire through music. I call it ‘Rongoa for the rohe, Rongoa for the people’ (medicine for the land, medication for the people). When I saw the rain had marked Te Mata Peak and it looked like the maunga was crying, I felt a calling to put pen to paper and use my skills to unite people for a common cause. I just couldn’t sit around and do nothing. So, I wrote a song with a hopeful narrative that will bring people from Hawkes Bay together and as a tribute to their resilience” said Riqi.

The Karanga featured in Stormy Weather is by whaea Dianne Hilton (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga) from Te Hauke.

A testament to the power and importance of honouring those who have passed away, it serves as a traditional goodbye to those lost during Cyclone Gabrielle. This type of karanga, known as hui ora, expresses deep sadness for the living who have experienced death, sickness, and grief. It reminds us that we must not forget those who have passed away during Cyclone Gabrielle in the areas mentioned in the song and says that we celebrate and farewell them by coming together and returning to the marae of Hine-nui-te-pō. Even though we cannot be there physically, we can connect with them spiritually.

Stormy Weather was produced with the assistance from Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, Jonny Pipe Audio,Tom Pierard (drums), Caleb Robinson (Bass guitar), Chris Chetland (mastering) and Sam Henry vocalists.

All royalties/proceeds from the track will go to the charities I AM HOPE to provide counselling to impacted tamariki.

Riqi’s musical journey began as the lead guitarist and co-songwriter for the renowned band Dead Flowers. He now stands at the forefront of Māori fusion music, infusing performances with the beauty of Te Reo Māori and waiata Māori. In 2022 Riqi was a nominee for Best Male Solo Artist at the prestigious Waiata Māori Awards. His music embodies diversity – a blending of different worlds and speaks of cultural harmony. While many of his songs are written in Indigenous Māori, they transcend language barriers through his electrifying delivery that feature, a fusion of traditional haka energy, exhilarating rock-style music from the 1980’s that echo the likes of guitar legends like Slash and Jimi Hendrix, and his commitment to his own homegrown unique sound.

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