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Aro’s warm acoustic style is front and center in this intimate rendition of their bilingual waiata ‘Māhoe me Patatē’, sung in both English and te reo Māori. The duo, couple Emily and Charles Looker, weave mātauranga Māori and storytelling into their music. Drawing inspiration from the tongi kura (prophetic saying) of Kīngi Tāwhiao, which encouraged his people to look for the small but steady sources of hope in times of loss. The video captures a simple, heartfelt performance, with Charles playing guitar while the pair sing together, seated in the grass beneath the trees, accompanied by their young tamariki and pēpi.
Aro hope this waiata reminds people that sometimes the smallest thing, can be a huge encouragement. Sometimes it’s the small things that make all the difference, which are precious – he iti te pounamu – and help us find a way.– Excerpt from a band profile on Aro, New Zealand Music Commission website, 10 May 2024
Key Cast & Crew
Acknowledgements
Made with funding from Te Māngai Pāho
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