In the heart of New Zealand’s capital city, the Wellington regional Māori music choir stands strong in tradition and continuity, with harmonies weaving through the air like threads of time.
Under the guidance of their musical director David Dell, a figure synonymous with the preservation of New Zealand’s musical heritage, this choir transcends performance to become a living testament to the legacy of Māori music.
Mr. Dell’s journey in the realm of music began more than three decades ago with the founding of The Musical Heritage New Zealand Trust (formerly the Sheet Music Archive of NZ Trust), home to the country’s most extensive archive of New Zealand historic printed and published music, and the largest archive of overseas printed music.
This collection, rich in Māori compositions from composers like Dame Kiri Janette Te Kanawa, not only serves as a vessel of history but as a vibrant, living dialogue between the past and present.
Mr. Dell’s work with the choir and his dedication to preserving musical heritage highlights the deep-rooted connection between music and identity, culture, and history.
The choir, a diverse assembly spanning generations, embodies the communal spirit of Māori culture. Since the choir’s inception in 2014, it has offered a space for both the young and the elderly to explore and express their heritage through song.
Mr. Dell said the choir’s role was in fostering community and belonging, emphasising the importance of storytelling, and transmitting knowledge through music. These performances are celebrations of Māori identity, heritage, and the resilience of their traditions.
The history of Māori music and performing arts is a tapestry of tradition, innovation, and resilience. It traces its origins to the first Māori settlers in Aotearoa, between 1320 and 1350.
Haka
In dance, the haka is a multifaceted composition that uses the entire body as an instrument. Every part, from hands and feet to voice and gaze, forms to fully express nuances.
Early European settlers were met with the haka, signifying from Māori they were ready for battle. The Europeans, captivated by the intensity and vigour of the haka, noted its dramatic expressions and movements, invoking confounding emotions.
Botanist Joseph Banks, accompanying Captain James Cook in 1769, marvelled at the haka’s ability to transform the human form into something both fearsome and awe-inspiring.
Contrary to the common perception of haka as merely a war dance, it includes a variety of forms, each suited to specific occasions.
Tīmoti Kāretu, a New Zealand academic in Maori Music, Language, and Performing Arts, and from the Ngāi Tūhoe and Ngāti Kahungunu tribes, describes haka as a “versatile medium for expression”—whether to air injustices, commend achievements, welcome guests, inaugurate buildings, mourn the deceased, honour ancestors, or pass down cultural lore.
Waiata
In accompaniment, waiata, integral to kapa haka (group dance), but separated from haka by being melodically sung or chanted, is also a versatile medium and encompasses various types including choral pieces, traditional chants (karakia) action songs, and others.These songs serve as vessels in greeting or bidding farewell to individuals, commemorating significant events, or celebrating the achievements of a person.
Waiata is also used in preserving oral narratives, and in facilitating knowledge transfer within Māori communities.
The 19th century saw Christian missionaries’ efforts to suppress haka and other Māori cultural expressions, deeming them incompatible with Christian practices. Despite these challenges, Māori adapted, incorporating Western musical styles into their own, a synthesis that continues to evolve today.
The evolution of kapa haka into the 20th century introduced new forms, such as waiata ā-ringa, blending European melodies with traditional Māori movements.
Figures like Apirana Turupa Ngata played pivotal roles in this cultural renaissance, ensuring the survival and revitalization of Māori musical traditions and community.
As kapa haka entered the urban landscape, it not only helped to preserve language and customs but also became a platform for national and international representation, celebrating Māori identity on the global stage.
Today, competitions like Te Matatini showcase the art’s vitality, while educational initiatives underscore its significance in fostering cultural pride and communal wellbeing.
Passing the Arts Onto the Next Generation
In the educational sector, Jann Marshall, Deputy Chief Executive of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), highlights the educational significance of Māori performing arts.NZQA’s development of Māori Performing Arts qualifications, in collaboration with the programme Whakaruruhau; developed to support the intellectual, emotional, and social development of extended family (whānau) based on the values of respect, kinship, and spirituality (manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and wairuatanga, respectively).
The study of Māori performing arts offers pathways into employment and the global stage, fostering a deep connection to Māori identity, culture, and language.
The essence of Māori performing arts and music is integral to New Zealand’s cultural fabric. They are foundational elements of the nation’s identity, expressing the spirit, values, and narratives of Māori, and provide a tangible link to their ancestors, celebrating their identity and sharing their rich heritage with the world.
Coordinated efforts of individuals like Mr. Dell and institutions like NZQA are critical to ensuring the vibrancy of New Zealand’s cultural heartbeat.
