'Āio ana’ is a song of peace; a lullaby for some, a meditation for others. It is the fourth track from the upcoming album Ono by Moana & The Tribe. Due for release in 2022, Ono  comprises six unique songs that celebrate and raise the visibility of endangered indigenous languages. 
 
The reo lyrics of ‘Āio ana’ were penned by Scotty Morrison, with music written by Paddy Free and Moana Maniapoto. The Sámi language of Northern Europe is the contribution of guest vocalist and iconic Sámi singer Mari Boine (Norway).
 
Mari Boine has been at the top of her game since the eighties as one of the first artists to incorporate the traditional Sámi joik (pronounced yoik) into contemporary music through vocables; using sounds rather than lyrics to tell stories. Colonisation and Christianity pushed the cultural and spiritual tradition underground. Throughout her career, Mari has used her songs to raise the visibility of this unique musical art form, the language and the Sámi people themselves. In ‘Āio ana’, Mari combines vocables and lyrics to conjure up nature and the environment.
 
Moana and Mari first met at Womad NZ 2013, then again at Riddu Riddu (Norway) when Moana & the Tribe performed.
 
They co-wrote the song ‘Twin Soul’ for Boine’s first English-speaking album See The Woman (2017). That same year, Moana and Paddy recorded ‘Āio ana’ with Mari during the Skabmagovat Film Festival (Finland). 
 
Māori and Sámi have a long and close relationship, both raising their respective flags annually on February 6th. There is a Kohanga reo in Inari, the small village inside the Arctic Circle that hosts Skabmagovat. This collaboration symbolises that. 

ĀIO ANA - LYRICS  - (S.Morrison, P.Free, M.Maniapoto) 
 
Āio ana te rangi  
Let there be calm across the heavens
 
Āio ana te whenua  
Let there be calm across the land
 
Āio ana te ao katoa 
Let there be calm across the world
 
Āio ana te moe a te kuru pounamu
Let there be calm as this precious jewel sleeps
 
I roto i te māī 
Cradled within 
 
Te matihere   
The great affection
 
Me te māoriori e  
And the serenity
 
Kia au, kia au, kia au te moe  
Wrapped in the mist of sleep

AIO ANA - Moana And The Tribe Featuring Mari Boine

‘Huakirangi’ is co-written with electronica producer/guru Paddy Free and longtime band member/co-writer Scotty Morrison and features the Tribe’s Cadzow Cossar on guitar. The lyrics are inspired by the karakia composed by legendary Polynesian hero Maui to capture and slow down the sun. The track also features award winning indigenous Australian artist Shellie Morris. Shellie is credited with creating music and songs in around 17 Aboriginal languages, many considered “sleeping”. In ‘Huakirangi’, both women explore the relationship between the Sun and Moon through Māori and Yanyuwa languages and stories. ‘Huakirangi’ is written and sung in Māori and Gadigal (an indigenous Australian language).

The ‘Huakirangi’ video is offered now as Matariki begins to brighten our skies in Aotearoa.

‘Huakirangi’ is the third single from Ono to be released following 2020 releases of 'Tōku Reo', a music collaboration with the singer, Inka Mbing, from the Atayal tribe, one of 16 indigenous tribe in Taiwan and ‘Tū’-a track featuring Canadian first nation’s singer-songwriter Jani Lauzon of the Metis people. 

In a few weeks time, Matariki will leave our skies again and the next single, ‘Aio ana’ will be released. ‘Aio ana’ is a song of peace, a lullaby featuring Mari Boine of the Sámi native people of Norway. Mari performed in Aotearoa at WOMAD in 2013.

HUAKIRANGI - LYRICS / STORY

'Huakirangi' is based on an old incantation that Maui would have used to capture and slow down the sun so that humans would have more time in the day. The lyric is based on a farewell from the Sun to Te Pō (the darkness). RANGI means day. PŌ means night or darkness.

The first verse explores the different degrees and dimensions of darkness within in our traditional world, before there was light - layers of darkness, black, very black, the ultimate black. The first line says; "i hīpoki nei koe i te ao ki tō korowai uriuri" - "here you are oh Sun, covered and protected by your cloak of Darkness." The second part is all about the power of the sun to heat the earth, to extend his rays to the world, to light it up – many dimensions of light and heat.

The phrase towards the end with the vocal progression that goes higher, ends up saying "Taku manu ia ka ko, Kua ao, kua ao, kua awatea." 

“My bird makes the announcement, there is light, there is light, here is the new day.” 

HUAKIRANGI 

LYRICS  - (S.Morrison, P.Free, M.Maniapoto) 

Te Pō e x 3 

i hīpoki nei koe i te ao ki tō korowai uriuri 

I au ai te moe 

I tau ai te wairua 

I nunumi atu ai te tauā 

I tāromaroma atu ai te wehi 

Whano ki uta, whano ki tai 

Whano ki te iwi 

I moe ai i te pō 

Pō nukunuku 

Pō nekeneke 

Pōwaiwai te pō 

Pōhirihiri te ao 

Tariao riko, tariao whiti 

Tariao te ata hāpara 

Toia te rā kia whiti iho te rā 

ko pūmahanahana 

ko pūwerawera 

E whiti e te rā e, 

pārore ki taku kiri! 

Kia rangi nui te rangi 

Kia rangi roa te rangi 

Kia rangi piataata te rangi 

Whakakenakena mai ra 

taku manu ia ka kō 

Kua ao, kua ao 

Kua awatea!  

Lyrics: Shellie Morris

Marnajanda aja-murimuri, karakarra  kanda-walanymala, wayi wakara  nanda-minjararra awara ja-yinbayi

Translation: Here she is, my most senior paternal grandfathers sister, from the east she will reveal herself, ahhh now  she has completely risen the country is singing

The word for sun is a-kamba, but there is no need to mention that in the song because it becomes self explanatory by the way the words are used, if you want to put the word for sun into the verse it would be
best at the start.

The Dreaming place for the sun is in Garrwa country, near Pangalina station there is a cliff face with a great round impression in it with rays coming out, it is the sun.  In the Dreaming she was an old lady and she was really jealous for her country and she drove everyone away from it by her heat. There were old people that had power songs that could slow the sun, make it hotter, cooler, make peoples bodies burn.

Huakirangi - Moana & The Tribe Feat. Shellie Morris (Nativemix2021)

‘Maiea’  is a call for peace; an incantation in archaic Māori language to ancient deities and gods to soothe and calm a troubled mind. ‘Maiea’ is the fifth track from the upcoming album Ono by Moana & The Tribe. Due for release in 2023, Ono comprises six unique songs that celebrate te reo (Māori) and raise the visibility of endangered languages through collaborations with indigenous vocalists.
The reo lyrics to ‘Maiea’ were penned by Scotty Morrison, with music written by Paddy Free and Moana Maniapoto. The Gaelic language of Scotland is courtesy of Megan Henderson, lead singer and violinist for award-winning Scottish band Breabach.

Maiea (Moana & The Tribe) Feat. Megan Henderson 24bit

“AEIOU was released in 1993. It was blatant propaganda, a call to action. I was sick of having my name mutilated beyond recognition. I was on a mission to brainwash Pākehā into pronouncing the vowels correctly and rark Māori into joining a the reo revolution.
It began as a radio jingle written by Mina Ripia - we were both working at Aotearoa Radio. Teremoana and I wrote lyrics around the line “akona te reo.” Stuart Pearce produced it. This was before digital platforms. Radio programmers described it as “too preachy.” I suspect even the one line of reo in it was triggering. 
Back then when my toddler spoke Māori, people would stop and stare - even our own if I’m to be honest. He was shocked if someone spoke Māori to him outside of kohanga, marae or home. My daughter who is 14 is in a completely different world where more Pākehā are learning or are at least conscious of pronunciation. 
Angus McNaughton did a remix for our second album RUA. When Hinewehi suggested a remake, we discussed different producers. I’ve always been a fan of Tiki. He did a remix of another song Scotty and I wrote called Pae o Riri. I like the dark brooding edge to his music. 
AEIOU is an anthem – it needs to be played at high volume. Love this new version. 
It was a challenge for Scotty Morrison to translate mine and Teremoana’s lyrics. He did it metaphorically - not literally. I’m thrilled and honoured these artists put their own unique mark on this waiata. I absolutely love it.” Moana Maniapoto

AEIOU - Tiki Taane Remake

AEIOU - Tiki Taane Remake feat. Georgia Lines, Ria Hall, Moana Maniapoto,Mazbou Q, Chey Milne.

Slide away my friend from the turbulent world you live in so you will survive 
Upokohue Tutara rangatira tutate mate ..

Upokohue

Ātahu explores the art of love spells; incantations to bewitch a lover. Kaumakaiwa Kanaka’ole is gifted in oli’ the traditional style of native Hawaiian chant. She weaves in and out of the whispered, spoken word vocals of Moana – her voice a perfect match for a song that celebrates and explores the art of magic and seduction.
Kaumakaiwa told me that we’d met 20 years ago amid the dusty, majestic ruins of Greece. My group represented Aotearoa in the Cultural Olympiad that led up to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Our cohort included Indigenous Australian, Lakota Sioux and native Hawaiians. Kaumakaiwa was a teenager then, the star of the Hawaiian group. Just a boy. “Ātahu” is a mixture of spoken word, whispers, haunting refrains and ‘oli chants – a perfect match for a song that celebrates and explores the art of magic and seduction.
The theme of the waiata is magic. Kaumakaiwa weaves a spell in and around the seductive groove created by Paddy Free. Now a charismatic young wahine, Kaumakaiwa has come full circle.
So have I.

Ātahu - Moana & The Tribe

The latest single from Moana & the Tribe features Jamaican dancehall artist Skarra Mucci and was produced by Moritz v.Korff, bass player with French reggae band Dub Inc. 
Fire in Paradise an infectious reggae single recorded across New Zealand, Germany and France, was released for New Zealand Music month 2016.
Fire in Paradise is a total remake of Whaura , a song Moana wrote in Maori as a tribute to the people of Timor-Leste for her 4th album Whā. While the lyrics still refer to the Pacific, their meaning is more pronounced now given the rise of global conflicts.
Jamaican-born Skarra Mucci has lent his distinctive rich vocal to 5 solo albums including two top sellers - Return of the Raggamuffin (Album of the year, France) and Greater than Great (winner of Best Dancehall Album). 
The reggae/hiphop/R&B cross-genre artist has collaborated with the likes of Dub Inc, L'entourloop, Treesha, Soulforce, Lion D, Beenie Man and many more


Fire In Paradise (feat. Skarra Mucci)

'Huakirangi' is the new single by Moana & the Tribe, based on an incantation written by Scotty Morrison, a greeting from the Sun to Te Po as the new day dawns. Produced by Paddy Free (Pitch Black). Moana Maniapoto has been just introduced into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame

Huakirangi

This stirring music composed by the talented Paddy Free spoke to me of that primal connection we all have to the wild, both within ourselves and around us. What contemporary writer could improve on traditional proverbs from ancestors whose six senses were absolutely attuned to the very pulse of nature?

Aotearoa

Not Alone (Live) -  My Name Is Moana

Inspired by a united Maori response against the Fiscal Envelope in New Zealand , which sought a deadline and financial benchmark for wrapping up all historical grievances against the Crown, members of Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao haka group led by Warren Morgan turned the articles of the Treaty into haka. Bennett Pomana performs rap on the verses

Treaty

Tū, the new drum n bass collaboration between Moana Maniapoto, Paddy Free and Scotty Morrison is mainly in te reo Māori but it also features vocalist Jani Lauzon (Canada). A multi-disciplinary artist and Juno nominated singer-songwriter, Jani’s vocals reflect her Metis heritage. Tū is a karakia or incantation performed as part of a ritual ceremony of tohi during which a child is immersed in water or sprinkled with water from a branch dipped in the stream or lake. Tū is a dedication to the God of War to strengthen and empower the child.

Moana And The Tribe - Tū

Tihore Mai

Rua Kenana

Titokowaru LIVE

A powerful political song from Moana's 4th album "Wha" using samples from street protests against the World Trade Organisation. Te Apo uses haka to challenge Free Trade Agreements that threaten the economic, cultural and spiritual life of all people 

Te Apo

He Waiata Aroha na Puhiwahine

Inspired by the Italian partisan song "Bella Ciao" , Pae o riri was written as a letter to the Italians during the war, asking themto take care of our young Maori soldiers as if they were their own. Scotty Morrison translated lyrics written by Moana into Maori

Pae O Riri

Inka Mbing is the stunning guest vocalist on Tōku Reo. From the Atayal tribe, one of 16 indigenous tribe in Taiwan, Inka defied the taboo on women not singing traditional songs. Now she is celebrated for helping keep the language alive. Moana Maniapoto and producer Paddy Free visited Inka and started a conversation with her about the loss of language and its revitalisation in Aotearoa/New Zealand. As with Māori, Inka's people were punished for speaking their native language in school. They recorded the song Tōku Reo (with lyrics by Scotty Morrision) in Atayal and Maori, both of which belong to the Austronesian language family. Tōku Reo pays tribute to the language and has been released worldwide 18 September 2020. 
Toku reo, toku ohooho
My Language, my awakening
Tohu reo, toku oho kaikakau
My Language, my strength

Mai e te tipua, mai e te tawhito, mai e te kahui o nga ariki, 
In the beginning, before there was Light, under the cloak of the gods 

Mai e tawhiri atu ki ngā atua i te ora kua hanga mai o te ao i te putaketanga nei o tatou reo
From that ancient time when the ancestors and gods created a means to speak to each other, 
Out of the darkness and their chatter in the Void, came… 

Reo Waiti, Reo Waita
This Language of Sweetness,this Language of Eloquence 
Reo i wehi mai e nga matua ko Ranginui e tu nei
This Language used by sacred forces to plot and plan the separation of Rangi Sky Father

Tōku Reo (feat. Inka Mbing)

After performances at Womad NZ, Sydney Opera House and Glasgow 2014, NZ band Moana & the Tribe are releasing 'Whole Worlds Watching', the 1st single from the soon-to-be released album RIMA. WWW is a celebration of people power.


Moana & the Tribe

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