Tātarakihi

Musician and mātanga reo (language consultant) Tawaroa Kawana (Rangitāne), aka Tawaz, tuned into nature to beat writer's block during a songwriting wānanga (workshop) for the Waiata Anthems series. He presented fellow artist MOHI with a rhythm inspired by the sound of cicadas (kihikihi) and they traded takes to produce 'Tātarakihi', a waiata drawing on the mythological love story between Tamanui-te-rā (the sun) and Hine-raumati, who represents summer. The te reo Māori–English lyric video moves from coastal Northland scenery to the studio, depicting the collaborative process of writing and recording the track.

It's a love song, it's a dance tune, it's a summer jam.

– Tawaz sums up Tātarakihi. Waiata Anthems 2024 Documentaries, episode 16

Key Cast & Crew

Taine Noble

Director, Editor, Cinematographer

Hinewehi Mohi

Executive Producer

Julia Parnell

Producer

Parehuia Mackay

Producer