With Te Wiki o te Reo Māori just around the corner, the team are preparing for a showcase at Te Auaha that will honour and uplift te reo, using their experiences to give others a platform.
In 1999, Mina Ripia and Maaka Phat created a Māori Electronica Roots band named WAI, in honour of Mina’s Pāpā. After his passing, music became a way of honouring him, says Mina.
“E Pa was a waiata on our first album as WAI, which was written for my Pāpā. It speaks of being by my father’s side when he took his last breath. That experience led me to write this song to guide him on his return to Hawaiiki nui, which in Māori custom is the sacred resting place of our people. I will never forget my father, the pain of losing him pinches at my heart. He is now the brightest of stars shining down upon me.”
With a vision of honouring her Pāpā, the group was created to raise the awareness of Māori artistic expression both nationally and internationally, and performs in 100 percent te reo.
After decades of performing and sharing their voices with the world, they have used their knowledge to help other performers through the creation of their family business, Minaaka.