Interview: Tamati Waaka from Te Whānau-ā-Apanui | WOMAD 2016

Tamati Waaka performs with Te Kapa Haka o Te Whānau-ā-Apanui Photo: Supplied

Trevor Reekie discusses kapa haka with Tamati Waaka, one of the leaders of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, who explains that kapa haka is the combination of music and dance expressed through the instrument of the human voice. The group  practice regularly for up to 15 weeks leading up to a competition or event. Their repertoire of original songs, mostly about their tribal stories and history, are composed by Rikirangi Gage. Rikirangi writes around 60 songs in te reo Maori every couple of years. The songs have evolved for twenty-first century audiences but maintain a respect for the poetry and rhythm of the past. The songs play an important role in holding on to tribal history.