Maori Language Revival Finds a Voice in Contemporary Music

Rolling Stone AU/NZ has launched an initiative to feature more Maori-language music, underscoring how artists across Aotearoa are weaving te reo Maori into their songs. The effort coincides with the recent 50th anniversary of Maori Language Week, whose theme “Ake ake ake” – meaning “forever and ever” – reflects the language’s resilience after decades of suppression. Maori Language Commissioner Rawinia Higgins has warned that a language can be lost in one generation but may take three to restore, emphasizing the urgency of the current resurgence.

Rolling Stone

Official counts indicate that the number of te reo Maori speakers rose from 185,955 in 2018 to 213,849 in 2023, a 15 % increase. In the same year, 4.3 % of the population reported being able to hold a conversation in the language. These figures illustrate a broader cultural shift that is now echoing through the music scene.

Rolling Stone

A range of musicians describe how singing in Maori deepens their creative process. Emerging artist Rei finds that lyrics feel more poetic in te reo, noting the language’s capacity for wordplay. Queer electropop performer Ardon England, who translated his track “EGO” into Maori as “WHA MAI RA,” says the translation transformed his connection to the song, prompting a more spiritual engagement with the lyrics. Ra Toia Booth of Ra Charmian observes that a single Maori word can carry layers of meaning that would require an entire English sentence. Reggae vocalist Israel Starr, now performing as Iharaira Starr, reports that using Maori terms in difficult conversations helps him maintain personal mana while expressing criticism calmly. Emerging artists Junny and Daimond Porima Ferguson acknowledge that they are still navigating the language’s nuances, but view it as essential for articulating emotions that English cannot capture. The group SUB-TRIBE similarly notes that certain concepts achieve greater depth when expressed in te reo.

Rolling Stone

Artists collectively agree that bilingualism enriches their work, with many describing te reo Maori as a conduit for cultural identity and emotional authenticity. As the Rolling Stone initiative brings these voices to a wider audience, the partnership between music and language revitalization is poised to reinforce the ongoing growth of te reo Maori in everyday life.

Rolling Stone