16 Apr 2020

NZ invited to sing 'Pokarekare Ana' at home this Saturday

From Afternoons, 1:50 pm on 16 April 2020

This Saturday afternoon, all New Zealanders are invited to join an online nationwide rendition of 'Pokarekare Ana' hosted by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Paraire Henare Tomoana, who composed the well-loved waiata, would be chuffed and humbled because the event has such a good kaupapa, says his grand-daughter Ngatai Huataalso a composer.

"Our family are excited about sharing our grandfather's very popular iconic song of New Zealand with everyone. It's a beautiful song."

Huata went to a college in Hawkes Bay with Māori politician Āpirana Ngata, Ngatai says.

It was on Ngata's verandah overlooking Waiapu River that Huata started to write a song about his beloved wife, Queenie Ryland.

Waiapu River

Photo: © Michael Cross / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Music stimulates joy, love and hope, she says.

"It re-energies those kare ā-roto – those feelings from within.It helps for healing in these challenging times."

NZSO ENGAGE@Home – Pōkarekare Ana will be held on on Saturday, 18 April at 3pm.

New Zealanders are invited to sing or play along at home. They can also record themselves singing and or playing the waiata at home – either individually or with people from their bubble – and share it on Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag #NZSOENGAGEAtHome.

You can download the sheet music and words here and watch the NZSO's performance live and for free here.

NZSO ENGAGE@Home - Pōkarekare Ana logo

Photo: NZSO