Matariki Hunga Nui – A Celebration of Māori Country Music
Matariki has come and gone for another year, but the melody still shimmers. This year, the song that resonates deeply is Matariki Hunga Nui – Calling Me Home, a collaboration between Rob Ruha, Troy Kingi, and Kaylee Bell. Released for the 2025 Māori New Year, the track is not just a musical offering; it’s a cultural statement that brings Māori country music back into contemporary consciousness.
The music video for this vibrant song is a celebration in itself, featuring a diverse group of participants, including former politician Kiri Allan and artist-activist Tame Iti. Its bilingual lyrics and line-dance-friendly rhythm invite everyone to join in the fun, showcasing the communal spirit that Matariki embodies. This song serves as a reminder of the rich tapestry of Māori musical heritage, particularly the often-overlooked genre of Māori country.
The Roots of Māori Country Music
At first glance, country music may not seem like a typical Māori genre, especially when rap, reggae, R’n’B, and pop often dominate the narrative of Māori creativity. However, the history of Māori engagement with country music dates back to the very beginnings of popular music in Aotearoa. Māori musicians have long resonated with the genre’s lyrical themes—longing, land, rural life, loneliness, love, humor, and community—demonstrating exceptional musicianship that aligns with country music’s core elements.
This musical journey is not just about genre aesthetics; it intertwines with colonial histories and global pop culture flows. While American country music is often associated with conservative politics, it is essential to recognize its roots in African American musical traditions, including the banjo, spirituals, and field songs. Recent artists like Li’l Nas X and Beyoncé have challenged the narrow racial and cultural associations of the genre, revealing a broader, more inclusive narrative.
The Hawaiian Influence
American country music also owes a debt to Hawaiian innovations, which means that Polynesian stylistic elements were already woven into the fabric of country music by the time it reached New Zealand. The steel guitar, invented by Joseph Kekuku in Hawaii in 1885, became a defining sound of country music. This instrument, modified from the Spanish guitar, gained immense popularity in the U.S. during the 1920s and 30s.
In New Zealand, Pacific and Māori artists gravitated toward this "Hawaiian sound." The Ruru Karaitiana Quintette recorded the first locally produced hit song, Blue Smoke, in 1949, featuring Hawaiian guitar slides prominently. Artists like Bill Sevesi and Bill Wolfgramme further popularized this sound, establishing a strong connection between Hawaiian music and Māori country.
The transition of the steel guitar from Hawaiian and Pacific styles into local country music can be seen in works like Manu Rere by Johnny Cooper, known as “the Māori cowboy,” and Dennis Marsh’s humorous Have a Māori Hangi. The Māori showbands of the 1950s and 60s also played a significant role, performing a mix of styles, including country, in elaborate shows that toured globally.
Creative Negotiation in Māori Country
By the 1970s, artists like Eddie Low and Dean Waretini were producing country-flavored hits, further embedding the genre into the Māori music narrative. The popularity of country music in covers bands, school concerts, and marae gatherings is undeniable. Even the Topp Twins, who are not Māori, collaborated with Māori composer Hirini Melbourne in 1984 on Ngā Iwi E, a country song sung in te reo Māori.
As U.S. country music has diversified into various sub-genres, Māori artists have also embraced this evolution. Marlon Williams, for instance, has ventured into alternative country-and-western gothic, reflecting his southern New Zealand roots. His 2025 album Te Whare Tīwekaweka, sung entirely in te reo Māori, showcases his desire to reconnect with his heritage through original compositions.
TEEKS (Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi) embodies the Māori-country connection with his soulful voice, evident in his live cover of Bonnie Raitt’s I Can’t Make You Love Me. His music resonates with the emotional depth and storytelling that characterize both Māori waiata and country music.
The Integral Role of Māori in Country Music
While there has been a thriving country music scene among Pākehā New Zealanders, the Māori contribution to and enjoyment of the genre is integral to the overall narrative. This creative negotiation between the worlds of U.S. country and Māori waiata continues to flourish, as exemplified by Matariki Hunga Nui – Calling Me Home.
This complex American genre serves as a vehicle for Aotearoa to celebrate its own heritage, remember the past, and envision the future—all under the shimmering Matariki stars. The song encapsulates the spirit of Matariki, inviting everyone to reflect on their connections to land, community, and culture through the universal language of music.
