Contemporary popular Waiata provide a place of Belonging

This paper considers the use of contemporary popular waiata in promulgating a Māori worldview by expressing cultural identity and belonging. Waiata are a traditional medium, a practice through which Māori knowledge, histories, culture and language continue to be passed down from one generation to another (Ka‘ai-Mahuta, 2010; McLean, 1996; Orbell, 1991; Smith, 2003). Similarities can be observed between traditional and contemporary waiata, in that messages are delivered through musical, melodic, rhythmic and harmonic motifs that are distinctively Māori. These musical and lyrical elements are expressed aurally and act as conveyors of cultural identity and a Māori worldview; that is, people feel a sense of connection, belonging and commonality when they either listen to or perform contemporary waiata. This paper looks specifically at “Tahi (Dance Mix)” (1993), a contemporary waiata performed by Moana and the Moahunters and composed by Moana Maniapoto, Hareruia Aperahama and Angus McNaughton.