Maimoatia

Chart topping waiata 'Maimoatia' (meaning 'cherish it') urges people to speak te reo — with confidence — regardless of their skill level. Twelve Māori artists, most of whom featured on rangatahi series Pūkana, sing along with children for the music video. The project was initiated by the producers of the show. Written for Māori Language Week in 2016 with help from Te Reo Māori exponent Haumihiata Mason, the waiata sprang to the top of New Zealand iTunes chart, overtaking Justin Timberlake. The performers featured in 2017 reality show Voices of Our Future. In 2020 they released album Rongomaiwhiti, under the name Maimoa.

Even if the language is grammatically wrong or right, I perhaps have made some grammatical errors in this very interview. So (this song) is about speaking the language no matter what.

– Singer and co-composer Makaira Berry (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tūhoe) in an interview with Te Ao Māori News, 7 July 2016

Key Cast & Crew

Te Hemara Rauhihi

Co-Director

Marama Jones

Co-Director, Producer