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Waiwera artist Riqi Harawira is turning heads with his modern rendition of the waiata Rerenga Wairua, released ahead of his upcoming album te Kete pūoro (the basket of music) later this year.
Since moving to Waiwera last August, Riqi says the area has strongly shaped his creative direction, setting visuals for his music videos at Eaves Bush and Ōrewa Beach. He says the music explores themes of kaitiakitanga and environmental guardianship.
“The reason I shot it there is because I’m filming a lot of stuff in this area. The environment is so beautiful here and I love to promote our local surroundings.”
Riqi grew up in a musical family on Auckland’s North Shore and found his feet on stage at Rangitoto College in bands such as Push Push and Dead Flowers. He credits his early inspiration to his father, a guitar teacher at Westlake Girls, who helped spark his passion for instruments such as guitar, bass, keyboard, voice and taonga pūoro.
Riqi says his favourite song he has produced is E Rere Ai (Fly Away), a reo rua rock ballad blending English and Māori, dedicated to aroha and respect across cultures.
Alongside his music, Riqi works as a family harm counsellor with Man Alive in Henderson, where he supports tamariki and adults to better understand behaviour and help build safer, more emotionally aware communities. He says music became his own outlet for expression and connection, something he now hopes to help others experience as well.
Looking beyond the release of Te Karanga, Riqi says that he hopes to collaborate further within the Hibiscus Coast music scene and mentor younger musicians.
Reflecting on his time in school bands ahead of the upcoming Smokefreerockquest, Riqi hopes to pass on what he has learned.
“Know your instrument, practice, and when you get shy, remember to just commit and participate in what you’re doing. Don’t worry about the crowd, just worry about your instrument and what you’re playing, and then the rest will connect,” he says.
He also plans to hone his own skills further.
“I want to go over to the UK, play on the Jools Holland show, play the guitar for The Warriors and the All Blacks. What drives me is that passion for building and creating. It’s a positive outlet for me in terms of my wairua (soul) and my voice. It’s the way I communicate to the world what I’m thinking, how I’m feeling,” he says.
Riqi Harawira invites any keen musicians or music lovers to follow his journey on Instagram at riqiharawira.
The continued development of Riki’s next release, Ka pioioi – a single from the forthcoming album Te Kete Pūoro, due later this year – coincides with NZ Music Month, a nationwide initiative held each May celebrating Aotearoa’s local music scene through performances, media features and events showcasing both emerging and established artists across the country.
