When the Haka Became Boogie - The Showbands (Episode Two)

Directed by Tainui Stephens, this 1990 TVNZ series surveyed Māori contemporary music. This second episode looks at the showband era (1950s - 70s), when musicians mixed genres (electric guitar, rock’n’roll) with Māori culture, to make a unique contribution to Kiwi show business. Acts like The Howard Morrison Quartet, The Māori Volcanics, The Quin Tikis and The Māori Hi-Five took songs from marae to international cabarets. Music historian Chris Bourke praised the series for marking the role of showbands in the whakapapa of entertainers from Billy T James to Rim D Paul.

Such was the success of their stylish combination of musical talent and humour, that foreign promotors would routinely sign up Māori showbands without even auditioning them; simply that they were Māori was a good enough guarantee of popularity. And one of the first and most famous was the Māori Hi-Five.

– Narrator Elle Hughes

Key Cast & Crew

Billy T James

Subject

Tainui Stephens

Director, Producer

Howard Morrison

Subject

Elle Hughes

Narrator

David Caldwell

Camera

Stephen Stehlin

Production Manager