Riqi Harawira (Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi) has shared stages with some of the world’s biggest acts, Guns N Roses, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden to name a few. The former lead guitarist and co-songwriter for popular 90’s grunge band Dead Flowers. He has collaborated with numerous kiwi artists across his career such as Kings, Stellar, DLT, Che Fu and Dam Native. Riqi Harawira is a Māori fusion artist and a guitar virtuoso who is passionate about telling stories about Aotearoa through his original music.

Riqi is a lover of guitar and passionate about playing it. A multi-instrumentalist, Riqi frequently melds te reo Māori and English with rock and grunge music, dabbling with covers of Jimi Hendrix, Tama Renata, Joe Satriani and performing the NZ national anthem and the Last Post with the healing voice of his Les Paul (guitar) he calls Mareikura (named after a Ngati Kahungunu princess).

Immersed in music from a young age, his father, Rangi Hadfield (Paeoterangi Harawira) was an international Māori entertainer who performed in over 65 countries and who taught Riqi the guitar. 

Riqi’s other passion is working with Tane in the non-violence department kaupapa at Te Tai Whenua O Heretaunga. Working alongside Tane referred by the courts and dept of Corrections to elicit their own motivation to change, and supporting that change to reduce repeat offending, enhance whanau welfare and increase responsibility.


In 2016 Riqi Harawira released his first solo album, ‘Sound of the Long White Cloud’ 
spawning the singles ‘Greenstone & Gold’, ‘Oxygen’, ‘Te Aroha’ & ‘Goddess’, which was gifted to the ‘men against sexual violence’ campaign of that year. This album also featured an indigenized version of ‘Gutter Black’, Produced by Kings featuring Dave McCartney the original writer from Hello Sailor. 


Riqi’s second album, ‘Mauri’ brought forward tracks like ‘Wairua Tūturu’ and ‘Kia ora’. His last single 'Ruapekapeka' is a powerful Guitaiaha (Guitar -Taiaha) driven rock anthem with tribal chorus chants that hook you in immediately. A reminder of the famous northern battle between the colonials under Governor-General Grey and the combined forces of Kawiti and Hone Heke. 

June 24th, 2022, see’s Riqi Harawira release a new single ‘Whina - Walk of freedom’. A track about Dame Whina Cooper. 
The record release party will be supporte3d by NZ hip hop pioneer DLT at The Common Room, Hasting June 24th 8pm.
Whina-walk of freedom will be serviced to worldwide media through Huia Hamon and

Wairua - Riqi Harawira (band version)

Kaha - Riqi Harawira

Suicide

Lost

Never Change

Burned Out Paradise

Press Release: Friday November 25
RIQI HARAWIRA ‘Creative Native’ 
releases his new waiata and music video November 25
‘E rere ai (fly away)’.
LISTEN - Here
RIQI HARAWIRA (Te Aupōuri, Ngapuhi) has shared stages with some of the world’s biggest acts, Guns n 
Roses and Pearl Jam to name a few. The former lead guitarist and co-songwriter for popular 90’s grunge 
band Dead Flowers. He has collaborated with numerous Kiwi artists across his career such as Kings, Stellar*,
DLT, Che Fu and Dam Native. Riqi Harawira is a Maori fusion artist and a guitar virtuoso who is passionate 
about telling stories about Aotearoa through his original music.
A multi-instrumentalist, Riqi frequently melds te reo Māori and English with rock and grunge music. His new 
Single ‘E rere ai' is a song which originally came from a poem written by Riqi and his partner Floss, which 
touches on love, hopes, and dreams. 
WATCH ‘E rere ai - MUSIC VIDEO’ - Here
E rere ai (fly away) is a soft rock song which easily switches between English and Te reo Māori. It is 70’s style 
American in flavour with some nice Hammond organ supporting Riqi’s clean lead lines on his Fender 
Stratocaster. A song about a culturally blended couple who are flying away above the noise and opinions 
and doing their own thing. Inspiring others to find their wings too.
RIQI says .. “Our song about Flying Away above the noise… to a quiet place where the voices of opinions 
can’t be heard. We have learnt to fly and blend our family together, which has not always been socially 
accepted. But we endure because we row in our waka together and love each other through the noise. 
We hope our song Fly Away helps others in culturally blended relationships find their wings to Fly Away too.”
‘The lyrics are incredibly important’, says Riqi, and this Waiata is dedicated to interracial couples who have 
the courage to embrace each other, who understand the cultural differences, racial disparities, inequities, 
cultural history of violence and trauma. Despite these differences develop a respect and love for each other 
to counter racial prejudice, systemic racism, and the oppression of specific racial groups.
What they are saying around the world about E rere ai (Fly away)
Ukraine: Hello! Wow! I like this track! Welcome to my playlist! Svetlana
Brazil: Good news I would like to share E rere ai (fly away) to our Radio show Rock'n'Roll Vibration | 
Alternativa Rock
United Kingdom: Good news! I would like to share E rere ai (fly away) as part of our radio show & on 
rotation, An enjoyable sound, modern and well made. Can't wait to play. The Sound Lab
Hawkes Bay Radio: This song is beautiful! Video is so relaxing! 
Single/Video Review Review: E rere ai - Fly Away -Kev Rowland - NZ Muzic Net
‘ powerful message, all wrapped in a very enjoyable song and lovely video.’
STREAM ‘E rere ai - Fly Away’ Here
Follow Riqi Harawira ‘Creative Native’ 
FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM WEBSITE
Publicist: Bev Adair m: +64 21 02840320 e: bev@bevadair.org
Record release party Jan 20th @ Paisley stage Napier
Featuring Riqi Harawira, Perei King and more to be announced

E Rere Ai - Riqi Harawira

The very special song I wrote for the love of my country and our people has been given the Kings magic..check out the new remix of Greenstone & Gold! Amazing bro!

Greenstone and Gold - Riqi Harawira "Kings Remix"

STORMY WEATHER
–
NEW SINGLE BY
RIQI HARAWIRA
TO RAISE FUNDS FOR FLOOD RELIEF IN
HAWKES BAY
Riqi Harawira
(Ngāpuhi, Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa)
releases
today
his
reggae rock fusion track
Stormy
Weather
.
Written
about
his
adopted home of Hawkes Bay and
Cyclone
Gabrielle
,
which
devasted
communities
there and around
Aotearoa
,
Stormy Weather
tells a powerful and hopeful story of a
community resilience and coming together to mend.
‘
Lend a hand to those in need, yeah, plant the seeds.
Waiohiki, Esk Valley, Takami Makaurau, Te Awa, Ahuriri, Karanema, Omahu and Coromandel,
Taupo, Waikato, Bay o
f Plenty, Wairoa, Pakowahi, Tairawhiti, Tai Tokerau, Tangoio
’
Riqi
Harawira witnessed Cyclone Gabrielle
’
s devastation firsthand
,
working as
part of the
Te
Taiwhenua
cleanup
team
in Hawkes Bay helping
the Omahu and Waiohiki communities.
“
M
y greatest
desire
as a songwriter
is
to
uplift and inspi
re
through music. I call it
‘
Rongoa for the
rohe, Rongoa for the people
’
(medicine for the land, medication for the people). When I saw the rain
had marked Te Mata Peak and it looked like the maunga was crying, I felt a calling to put pen to paper
and use my skills to unite people for a common cause. I just couldn
’
t sit around
and do nothing. So, I
wrote a song with a hopeful narrative that will bring people from Hawkes Bay together and
as a
tribute
to their resilie
n
ce
”
said Riqi.

The
Karanga
featured
in
Stormy Weather
is
by
w
haea
Dianne Hilton
(
Ngāti
Kahungunu ki Heretaunga
)
from Te Hauke
. A
testament
to the power
and importance of honouring those who have
passed away
, it serves as a traditional goodbye to those lost during
Cyclone Gabrielle. This type of karanga
, known as hui or
a, expresses deep sadness for the living who have experienced death, sickness, and
grief. It reminds us that we must not forget those who have passed away
during Cyclone Gabrielle in the areas mentioned in the song and says that we
celebrate and farewell
them by coming together and returning to the ma
rae of Hine - nui - te
- pō. Even though we cannot be there physically, we can connect with them spiritually.
Stormy Weather
was produced with the assistance from
Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga
, Jonny Pipe
Audio ,
Tom Pierard (drums), Caleb Robinson (Bass guitar),
Chris Chetland(masterin
g) and Sam Henry vocalists. All royalties proceeds
from the track will go to the charities I AM HOPE
to provide counselling to
impacted tamariki.
Riqi’s musical journey began as the lead guitarist and
co - songwriter for
the renowned band
Dead Flowers.
He now stands at the forefront of
Māori fusion music, infusing performances with the beauty of Te Reo Māori and waiata Māori.
In 2022 Riqi was a nominee for Best Male Solo Artist at the prestigious
Waiata Māori Awards.
His music embodies
diversity – a blending of different worlds
and speaks of cultural harmony
. While many of his songs are written in Indigenous
Māori, they transcend language barriers through his electrifying delivery that feature, a fusion
of traditional haka energy,
exhilarat ing rock
-style music from the 1980
’s that echo the likes of guitar legends like Slash and Jimi Hendrix
and his commitment to his own homegrown unique sound

Stormy Weather Extended

A kōrero with Oriwa about the release of my new waiata Stormy Weather, a song to celebrate the resilience of communities after Cyclone Gabrielle. A message to Brad Kora at the end :) .

Message to Brad Kora @7:38

Radio Porou Interview

"I wrote this song as a gift for the New Earth NZ festival in Matauri bay (Ngāti Kahu), where I am performing 2nd March 2024. I don't perform often, so when I choose to play at a show, I like to compose something that hopefully has value to that specific event. This waiata has a universal message and is a simple sing-along that encourages the audience to participate and feel good."
I choose my kaupapa carefully these days, and an invitation to be back in my kainga tūturu (wellspring) Muriwhenua was to hard to resist." 

"Kei te haere ahua me te Rongo" (I come with the god of peace)
"Ka kite akuanei" (see you soon)

New Earth New Day - Riqi Harawira [live demo]

Stormy Weather R Harawira 08/02/2023

We’ll weather the stormy weather. Mend the hearts, the broken homes.
Coz’ together we are strong. We gotta stick together; we’re not fair weather.
All the people from all around, from the country to the towns.

Verse 1.
When the wind all the rains came down, our lives were turned upside down.
        But we’ll never give up; we’ll get through. Kia Kaha, E Tu!
We remember all the ones we lost. Hold them close no matter what the cost.
Keep moving forward; day by day, we’ll find a way.
Chorus 2.
Verse 2.
Gabrielle came with her might. Aotearoa in her sights
We stood strong in the face of fear; we will persevere.
All the road ahead’s gonna be long. Together, we’ll stay strong.
Lend a hand to those in need, yeah, plant the seeds.

Chorus 3.
Roll call
Waiohiki, Esk Valley, Tamaki Makaurau, Te Awa
Ahuriri, Karanema, Omahu & Corramandel
Taupo, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wairoa
Pakowhai, Tairawhiti, Tai Tokerau, Tangoio

He Rongoa ki te Whenua, He Rongoa ki te Tangata, He Rongoa

Karanga– hui mate
Haere atu rā me ō karangatanga maha Kahurangi
E ngā uri ki te huinga o te marae o Hine-nui-o-te-pō

Go forth with the many calls from descendants gone before to assemble in the blue sky above……

Stormy Weather KARAOKE

STORMY WEATHER – NEW SINGLE BY RIQI HARAWIRA
TO RAISE FUNDS FOR FLOOD RELIEF IN HAWKES BAY

Riqi Harawira (Ngāpuhi, Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa) releases today, Friday 10 November 2023, the reggae rock fusion track Stormy Weather. Written about his adopted home of Hawkes Bay and Cyclone Gabrielle, which devasted communities there and around Aotearoa, Stormy Weather tells a powerful and hopeful story of a community resilience and coming together to mend.

‘Lend a hand to those in need, yeah, plant the seeds.
Waiohiki, Esk Valley, Takami Makaurau, Te Awa, Ahuriri, Karanema, Omahu and Coromandel, 
Taupo, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wairoa, Pakowahi, Tairawhiti, Tai Tokerau, Tangoio’

Riqi Harawira witnessed Cyclone Gabrielle’s devastation firsthand, working as part of the Te Taiwhenua cleanup team in Hawkes Bay helping the Omahu and Waiohiki communities. 

“My greatest desire as a songwriter is to uplift and inspire through music. I call it ‘Rongoa for the rohe, Rongoa for the people’ (medicine for the land, medication for the people). When I saw the rain had marked Te Mata Peak and it looked like the maunga was crying, I felt a calling to put pen to paper and use my skills to unite people for a common cause. I just couldn’t sit around and do nothing. So, I wrote a song with a hopeful narrative that will bring people from Hawkes Bay together and as a tribute to their resilience” said Riqi.

The Karanga featured in Stormy Weather is performed by whaea Dianne Hilton (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga) from Te Hauke. 
A testament to the power and importance of honouring those who have passed away, it serves as a traditional goodbye to those lost during Cyclone Gabrielle. This type of karanga, known as hui ora, expresses deep sadness for the living who have experienced death, sickness, and grief. It reminds us that we must not forget those who have passed away during Cyclone Gabrielle in the areas mentioned in the song and says that we celebrate and farewell them by coming together and returning to the marae of Hine-nui-te-pō. Even though we cannot be there physically, we can connect with them spiritually.

Stormy Weather was produced with the assistance from Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, Jonny Pipe Audio, Tom Pierard (drums), Caleb Robinson (Bass guitar), Chris Chetland (mastering) and Sam Henry vocalists.
All royalties/proceeds will go to I AM HOPE to provide counselling to impacted tamariki.

Riqi’s musical journey began as the lead guitarist and co-songwriter for the renowned band Dead Flowers. He now stands at the forefront of Māori fusion music, infusing performances with the beauty of Te Reo Māori and waiata Māori.  In 2022 Riqi was a nominee for Best Male Solo Artist at the prestigious Waiata Māori Awards.  His music embodies diversity – a blending of different worlds and speaks of cultural harmony. While many of his songs are written in Indigenous Māori, they transcend language barriers through his electrifying delivery that feature, a fusion of traditional haka energy, exhilarating rock-style music from the 1980’s that echo the likes of guitar legends like Slash and Jimi Hendrix, and his commitment to his own homegrown unique sound. www.riqiharawira.com
Donate by purchasing via; BANDCAMP  /  SPOTIFY /   FOUNDEE (link to follow)
The official release Performance: Nov 10 – Taste Hastings 
Dec 31 - New Year's Napier Soundshell


Stormy Weather- Riqi Harawira

With the passing of Kiingi Tuheitia, Floss and I found ourselves reminiscing about our time in the Waikato region. We were captivated by the beautiful awa and the kindness of the people while I worked in Waikeria prison providing peer support, and Floss worked with children in the community. Floss had a book about Princess Te Puea Herangi, and I finally got around to reading it. From that came this demo, which we ended up presenting to King Tuheitia. We were thrilled when he gave us his blessing to develop this tribute to Princess Te Puea. It's a raw, unfinished sketch, but historically accurate. My darling Flossie stepped up to contribute to the backing vocals. 

Moe mai ra te Kiingi Tuheitia, aroha ki te whanau pani
Floss & Rik

Te Puea
Written by Riqi Harawira
07/10/21
Verse 1
Te Puea, Te Puea, the river Rangatira. Kahui Ariki, mokopuna of a king,
Rise to the surface, a child born to lead. She sat at the feet of elders to learn their history.
She held onto the words of King Tawhiao: Waikato taniwharau, he piko he taniwha.
At every bend in the river lies a chief or taniwha, Like the story of her, finds its way like a river to your heart.
Chorus 1
In every bend of the river, a taniwha or rangatira.
The mighty Waikato Awa restores the strength to her people.
Verse 2
When the missionary man brought the smallpox to her town,
She nursed the sick and orphaned; humility was her crown.
She didn’t need a pulpit, and she didn’t need a throne;
She tended to her people in the land she called her home.
At the base of the maunga laid Pai Mārire,
Which made them all unshakeable in times of great despair.
Why should we fight for the European crown,
When they’ve taken all our whenua and dispossessed our king?
Chorus 2
In every bend of the river, a taniwha or rangatira.
Tūrangawaewae wāhi tapu, a place to stand like no other.
Verse 3
She clothed all the children with whatever she could find:
Potato sacks and sugar bags, she stitched them all by hand.
She cared for the elderly, she cared for the sick,
She made a place for everyone to work, pray, and sleep.
Pai Mārire, Pai Mārire, Pai Mārire, haere ki te wai.

Succession of Kīngitanga Leaders
Pōtatau Te Wherowhero (1858–1860)
The first Māori king, chosen for his mana and diplomacy. His short reign set the foundation for the movement.

Tāwhiao (1860–1894)
His reign saw the New Zealand Wars and the invasion of the Waikato. Tāwhiao led his people into the King Country, maintaining a peaceful resistance to land confiscation.

Mahuta Tāwhiao (1894–1912)
Mahuta worked with the New Zealand government, becoming a member of the Legislative Council, marking a shift towards diplomacy.

Te Rata (1912–1933)
Te Rata petitioned King George V to return confiscated lands but was unsuccessful. His reign focused on regaining Māori lands.

Korokī (1933–1966)
Korokī's leadership coincided with the rise of Māori activism. He focused on internal affairs and preserving Māori unity.

Dame Te Atairangikaahu (1966–2006)
The first female monarch, she led during the Māori Renaissance, promoting Māori culture and building relationships with the government.

Kiingi Tūheitia (2006–2024)
Tūheitia’s reign focused on Māori self-determination, land rights, and education. He guided the movement through modern challenges.

Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki (2024–present)
The current queen continues the Kīngitanga’s mission of protecting Māori interests and sovereignty.

The Kīngitanga remains a vital symbol of Māori unity, leadership, and the ongoing struggle for autonomy in Aotearoa.

Te Puea (paimarire)

Kia ora Koutou
It is a pleasure to share with you the last single, "Wairua", off my album "Sound of the long white cloud".?

A song written in Ahipara about a place called Te rerenga wairua, where Maori believe our spirits pass after death on their journey to Te Rēinga, the pathway that they follow is known as Te Ara Wairua. Spirits rise from the sea here to take one final look at their homeland before heading to the underworld.

Watch out for the follow up full reggae album version of Wairua with Riqis group "Band of the long white cloud" in 2017.

Wairua (acoustic version)

STORMY WEATHER
–
NEW SINGLE BY
RIQI HARAWIRA
TO RAISE FUNDS FOR FLOOD RELIEF IN
HAWKES BAY
Riqi Harawira
(Ngāpuhi, Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa)
releases
today
his
reggae rock fusion track
Stormy
Weather
.
Written
about
his
adopted home of Hawkes Bay and
Cyclone
Gabrielle
,
which
devasted
communities
there and around
Aotearoa
,
Stormy Weather
tells a powerful and hopeful story of a
community resilience and coming together to mend.
‘
Lend a hand to those in need, yeah, plant the seeds.
Waiohiki, Esk Valley, Takami Makaurau, Te Awa, Ahuriri, Karanema, Omahu and Coromandel,
Taupo, Waikato, Bay o
f Plenty, Wairoa, Pakowahi, Tairawhiti, Tai Tokerau, Tangoio
’
Riqi
Harawira witnessed Cyclone Gabrielle
’
s devastation firsthand
,
working as
part of the
Te
Taiwhenua
cleanup
team
in Hawkes Bay helping
the Omahu and Waiohiki communities.
“
M
y greatest
desire
as a songwriter
is
to
uplift and inspi
re
through music. I call it
‘
Rongoa for the
rohe, Rongoa for the people
’
(medicine for the land, medication for the people). When I saw the rain
had marked Te Mata Peak and it looked like the maunga was crying, I felt a calling to put pen to paper
and use my skills to unite people for a common cause. I just couldn
’
t sit around
and do nothing. So, I
wrote a song with a hopeful narrative that will bring people from Hawkes Bay together and
as a
tribute
to their resilie
n
ce
”
said Riqi.

The
Karanga
featured
in
Stormy Weather
is
by
w
haea
Dianne Hilton
(
Ngāti
Kahungunu ki Heretaunga
)
from Te Hauke
.
A
testament
to the power
and
importance of honouring those who have
passed away
, it
serves as a traditional goodbye to those lost during
Cyclone Gabrielle. This type of
k
aranga
,
known as hui or
a,
express
es
deep sadness for the living who h
ave experienced death, sickness, and
grief. It reminds us that we must not forget those who have passed away
during Cyclone Gabrielle in the areas mentioned in the song
and says that we
celebrate and farewell
them by coming together and returning to the ma
rae of Hine
-
nui
-
te
-
pō. Even though we cannot be
there physically, we can connect with them spiritually.
Stormy Weather
was
produced with the
assistance from
Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga
,
Jonny Pipe
Audio
,
Tom Pierard
(drums),
Caleb Robinson
(Bass guitar),
Chris Chetland
(masterin
g)
and
Sam
Henry
vocalists.
All royalties/proceeds
from the track will go to the charities
I AM HOPE
to
provide counselling to
impacted
tamariki
.
Riqi
’
s
musical journey began as the lead guitarist and
co
-
songwriter for
the renowned band
Dead Flowers
.
He
now stands at the forefront of
Māori fusion music, infusing performances with the beauty of Te Reo
Māori and waiata Māori
.
In
2022
Riqi
was a
nominee for
Best Male Solo
Artist
at the prestigious
Waiata Māori Awards
.
His
music
embodies
diversity
–
a
blending of different worlds
and
speak
s
of cultural harmony
.
W
hile
many
of his
songs
are
written
in
Indigenous
Māori,
they
transcend
language barriers
through his
electrifying
delivery
that
feature, a
fusion
of traditional haka energy
,
exhilarat
ing
rock
-
style music from the 1980
’
s
that
echo
the likes
of guitar legends like Slash and Jimi Hendr
ix
,
and his
commitment to his own homegr
own
unique sound
.
Donate by p
urchas
ing
via
;
BANDCAMP
/
SPOTIFY
Dec 31
-
New Year's Napier
Soundshell
ASSETS FOR DOWNLOAD
HERE

Stormy Weather
–
R Harawira
We
’
ll weather the stormy weather,
Mend the hearts, the broken homes,
Coz
’
toge
ther we are strong,
We gotta stick together: we
’
re not fair weather,
All the people from all around, from the country to the towns.
When the wind all the rains come down
All our lives were turned upside down.
But we
’
ll never give up: we
’
ll get through.
Kia kaha, E Tu!
We remember all the ones we lost.
Hold them close no matter what the cost.
Keep moving forward day by day, we
’
ll find a way.
Gabrielle came with her might,
Aotearoa in her sights,
We stood strong in the face of fear; we will preserve.
All
the roads ahead going to be long.
Together we
’
ll stay strong.
Lend a hand to those in need, yeah, plant the seeds.
Waiohiki, Esk Valley, Takami Makaurau, Te Awa
,
Ahuriri, Karanema, Omahu
and
Coromandel,
Taupo, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wairoa,
Pakowahi, T
airawhiti, Tai Tokerau, Tangoio
.
He Rongoa ki te Whenua, He Rongoa ki te Tangata, He Rongoa
Karanga hui ora
-
Whaea Dianne Hilton
Haere atu rā me ō karangatanga maha Kahurangi
.
E ngā uri ki te huinga o te marae o Hine
-
nui
-
o
-
te
-
pō
(
Go forth with the many
calls from descendants gone before to assemble in the blue sky abov
e)
MEDIA: Leesa Tilley +64 21 243 6899 /
publicity
-
machine@orcon.net.nz
/
www.publicityplus.co.nz

Riqi Harawira - Creative Native

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