A Māori and Pacifica youth community choir bring their goosebump-inducing harmonies to a new version of Marlon Williams' song 'Make Way For Love'.
The title track to the album Marlon released in February this year has been re-recorded with the Te Pou Tiriao singers, a community choir founded by Canterbury youth worker Zion Tauamiti.
The video and recording was funded by global giant Amazon, and was filmed at The Sitting Room, the studio of Marlon's longtime producer Ben Edwards.
Related: Inside Ben Edwards studio
Marlon says of the recording:
"From the genesis of this song's journey, it gently but surely revealed its form to be a Māori waiata. The strum, the sentiment, the mauri. Lamentably, everything but the reo.
"So when the idea of doing a unique performance was brought to me by Amazon, I got straight on the blower to my pal Zion Tauamiti.
Marlon Williams with members of Te Pou Tiriao - Zion Tauamiti on the left. Photo: youtube screenshot
"I knew Zion was running a Māori and Pacifica youth community choir in East Christchurch, an area absolutely put through the wringer and hung out to dry in post earthquake Canterbury. Zion was super keen to have the choir involved. We got together for one rehearsal and the strength of the unified sound was overwhelming.
"They treated me like one of the crew and when it came time to pool some money for petrol to get home and I reached for my wallet, Zion turned to me and told me in no uncertain terms to stay out of it; I was manuhiri and that was that.
"As we all know, in this world, terrible things happen to the best of people. Recently, Zion suffered a cardiac arrest after a routine surgery and was left in a coma for six days. Being the lion of a man that he is, Zion woke up and is now, thankfully, in the process of recovery.
"This video and the beautiful people gathered in it, are a testament to Zion's limitless energy, compassion and pure love for his people.
"To Te Pou Tiriao, Zion and anyone watching, my deepest thanks."
Marlon Williams with members of Te Pou Tiriao Photo: youtube screenshot
Ben Edwards (R) with Marlon Williams. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
