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PrinceTui Teka

  • Musician
Prince-Tui-Teka-Key-Profile.jpg

Larger than life and the ultimate showband performer, Prince Tui Teka's resume included years on the international circuit with the Māori Troubadours and the Māori Volcanics. A successful solo career and love songs like 'E Ipo' — as well as appearances in films like Came a Hot Friday and Savage Islands — have ensured his name is part of New Zealand entertainment history.

Screenography

The Last Laugh
2002 Subject Television
Marae
1992 - 2026 Subject Series
When the Haka Became Boogie
1990 Subject Series
The Silent One
1985 As: Postmaster Film

Biography

He was nicknamed The Prince, but Tūhoe legend Tui Teka lived his life as the king of Māori entertainment. He was the ultimate showband performer, able to play a multitude of instruments, act, and sing anything from country and western and rock'n'roll to love ballads and waiata, interspersed with side-splitting comedy.

“He used to drive around in his big red 1964 Chevrolet Impala convertible with a TV in the back of the seat. Everyone knew when Tui and his fleet arrived in town, you could hear us coming a mile away. That was Tui: a big fanfare for a big man.”

— Māori Volcanics singer Mahora Peters, in her 2005 book Showband: Mahora and the Māori Volcanics

Related images

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From left: Prince Tui Teka and the Yandall Sisters (Mary, Adele and Pauline) provide vocal backing for his song 'For the Life of Me', which won him a gold disc award.
Kindly supplied by the Dominion Post.
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Prince Tui Teka and The Constellation Show Group rehearse a Māori song in Wellington to use on overseas tours. From left rear: Rudy Clavel, Eddy Lapuz, Bert Custudio, Danny Abubot and Leo Domingo. Front: Aurora Ellares, Prince Tui Teka and Dolly Pascual.
Kindly supplied by the Dominion Post.