Pūha me te Porohewa

Mā and her band The Fly Hunnies take centre stage (literally!) in a shadowy theatre for this darkly playful music video. Directed by Brandon Te Moananui, the group dance and dine alongside two comically awkward Pākehā men at a banquet table. Featuring visceral shots of raw meat being prepared and later messily eaten, the video unfolds as a surreal feast that toes the line between manaakitanga and menace. Made for the te reo Māori music series Waiata Anthems, the neo-soul track is Mā's "response to political and social injustices threatening her community" and was nominated for the 2025 APRA Maioha Award.

Pūha me te Porohewa — pūha, the kai; porohewa, bald-head. The kaupapa is taumaha (heavy). I wanted this waiata to be a space for our people to be riri, to be angry, frustrated, and to create a song where they can express all of their feelings.

– Mā (Maarire Brunning-Kouka) on the kaupapa behind 'Pūha me te Porohewa', in the short documentary from Waiata Anthems

Key Cast & Crew

Parehuia Mackay

Producer

Julia Parnell

Producer

Brandon Te Moananui

Cinematographer, Editor, Director

Hinewehi Mohi

Executive Producer