Young Pasifika and Māori musicians unite to bring harmony and healing to Koroneihana

For the first time, an orchestra has performed as part of the kawe mate ceremony - dedicated to remembering and grieving those who have died - at Tuurangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia.

Young Māori and Pasifika musicians from across the motu came together to honour the coronation of the Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po.

The special performance was part of the week-long Koroneihana celebrations, which gathers thousands of people for remembrance ceremonies, cultural performances, and political discussions.

The Kotahitanga Koroneihana concert brought together musicians from Auckland Philharmonia, Sistema Aotearoa Māori and Pasifika students from Ōtara, Arohanui Strings+ from Wellington, and students from Flat Bush Primary School.

For the young performers, it was more than a concert.

They joined Tainui Waka for their kawe mate, offering music as a gift of support and connection.

“It’s the first time they’ve had an orchestral performance throughout the ceremony,” Anne Filimoehala, Sistema Aotearoa’s music director, tells Pacific Days.

“Performing for Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po means we're able to lighten up the spirits and it's awesome to be collaborating with other musicians from across the country. Kiingitanga is all about kotahitanga, and music is all about kotahitanga too.”

The musicians performed pieces that reflected the different groups involved, including Pasifika music from Sistema Aotearoa and classical pieces brought by Arohanui Strings+ and Auckland Philharmonia.

Listen to Anne Filimoehala's full interview below.

They also performed a special arrangement of Te Arikinui's own waiata for string quartet.

Filimoehala says the performance reflects kotahitanga, which can mean unity/solidarity, and remains the legacy of the late Māori King Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII.

Principal of Flat Bush Primary Banapa Avatea, who travelled with his students, said in a joint statement that performing at the celebrations was a moment they would carry with them.

“The opportunity to perform for Te Arikinui Ngā wai hono it te po is a huge honour and something they will never forget,” Avatea said.

Hayden Afele-Nickel, Programme Leader for Arohanui Strings+, says the trip gave the young musicians a chance to experience the power of music to connect people across cultures and generations.

“The opportunity for these young musicians to experience the true depths of connection, and treasured-value that music can provide - across cultures and distance - and honour the legacy of Kīngi Tūheitia ‘te Kotahitanga’, we are humbled.”

Kotahitanga Koroneihana orchestral concert at Tuurangawaewae Marae. Photo/Screenshot/Kiingitanga/Facebook

Thomas Hamill, the Senior Director of Strategy and Engagement at Auckland Philharmonia, says the performance also reflects the true unifying power of music.

“This is a first for us as Auckland Philharmonia members to attend the Kīngitanga Coronation celebrations and while we have travelled and performed for the world and New Zealand, this will be a first playing for the Māori Queen.”

“The musicians from the Auckland Philharmonia are delighted to play alongside tamariki from Sistema and Arohanui Strings+. As musicians we understand the connecting power of kotahitanga and music.”

Flat Bush Primary School being welcomed onto Tuurangawaewae Marae. Photo/Sceenshot/Kiingitanga/Facebook

For Filimoehala, music is unity and healing.

“With every celebration, don't underestimate how the arts can be very healing, especially for a day like today where it's about kawe mate,” she says.

“I think music is really important and music is healing. And I hope people remember that and know that deeply.”

Koroneihana continues at Tuurangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia until 6 September, with livestreams and daily programmes on Kiingitanga’s social media pages.