Taku Mana

Reggae-roots artist Majic Pāora contributes to the Waiata Anthems series with the soulful 'Taku Mana'. The song embodies the concept of mana motuhake, or self-determination and the right to self-government. Helmed by director Julie Zhu (Kāinga), the video reflects the song's themes of community and Māoritanga (Māori culture). Shots of Pāora—who often records and performs under the name MAJIC—singing in a stripped-back studio are intermingled with footage of her whānau and marae. The video also features stunning landscape shots across Aotearoa, particularly Northland and Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland).  

The word Mana Motuhake is mostly associated with something political, the mana that I am also talking about is the sovereign power that you carry in your DNA that was passed through from your ancestors and the very strong and real connection we have to our environment.

– Majic discussing the meaning of the song, NZ Herald, 27 September 2024

Key Cast & Crew

Julia Parnell

Producer

Te Rawhitiroa Bosch

Cinematographer

Julie Zhu

Director

Sophie Coombs

Editor

Daryl J Wong

Cinematographer

Parehuia Mackay

Producer