Golden Harvest added to Waiata Maori Music Awards ceremony

PRESS RELEASE 8
Friday, September 13, 2013

Golden Harvest added to Waiata Maori Music Awards ceremony

Outstanding New Zealand pop/rock band Golden Harvest has decided to perform together for the first time in 27 years, when the band appears at the National Waiata Maori Music Awards ceremony tonight, Friday, September 13, 2013.

The band split in the early 1980s and has not played together since a reunion concert in 1987. The performers are looking forward to appearing among the guest performers at the awards ceremony, which will be held at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House in Hastings, from 7pm tonight.

The group includes the Kaukau brothers, who grew up in Turangi, Gavin (now living in Rotorua), Mervyn (Perth, Australia), Eru (Hokianga) and Kevin (Sydney, Australia) and they arrived in Hawke’s Bay on Wednesday ahead of the awards ceremony tonight.

Golden Harvest will be the recipient of a Music Industry Award, recognising its achievements during the 1970s. The band released one album and several singles, playing support in front of international acts such as Bob Marley, Electric Light Orchestra and the Bay City Rollers.

The band’s hit song, I Need Your Love, was released in 1978 and won the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand single of the year award the same year of its release. It reached number seven on the official New Zealand music chart.

Golden Harvest was not in the original cast of guest performers at the awards ceremony tonight but organisers moved quickly to include the band in the programme, after the Kaukau brothers indicated they were keen to sing together again.

“The Waiata Maori Music Awards will give us a chance to say thank you to many people who supported us, who listened to our music,” Gavin says.

“There are so many people we would like to thanks, starting from the top with (promoter) Benny Levin, Hustle Management for putting us up for this nominated award. There are also teachers, mums and dads, whanau, wives, road crews to thank, so many.”

The band has not ruled out performing together again in the future.

“There have been many opportunities to perform but I would only play with my brothers,” Eru said.

“I don’t think any others fire up like my brothers, they excite me and motivate me, get my creative juices flowing.”

Kevin said it was a “maybe” from him, in terms of reforming the band.

“It is something that’s on the cards but there are still a few issues to work through. Some of us live in Australia and some are still here in New Zealand.”

Mervyn, who lives in Perth, said he would look forward to an opportunity to perform with his brothers again.

“But for that to happen, we would have to sit down and talk about how we could do it.”

Gavin also indicated working together as band was a possibility.

“It is lovely to be here together right now. There are still some of us that are attached to music, still writing and putting songs together, which may be coming out very soon.

“So it will be interesting to see the reaction on the public and the whanau when this new material comes out that we’ve been working on.”

Celebrity breakfast

Golden Harvest will also be one of the presenters at this morning’s Maori Music Celebrity Breakfast, also held at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House in Hastings this morning, 8am.

The Kaukau brothers are expected to speak about their career in the music industry.

Others to present at the breakfast include Maori performing arts advocate, Ngamoni Huata, who is also to receive a nominated award (Keeper of Traditions Award).

The Keeper of Traditions Award is for an individual, who is or has been dedicated to the teaching of Maori culture in music.

There are three recipients in the Nominated Section of the awards: Ngamoni Huata (Keeper of Traditions title); the Waipatu Catholic Maori Culture Club (Lifetime Contribution to Maori Music) and Golden Harvest (Music Industry Award).

All three will attend tonight’s awards ceremony to accept the titles.

Guest artists to perform tonight include Ahorangi Winitana, Taisha Tari & Kahurangi Choir, Rim D Paul and Choir, Toni Huata, Maisey Rika, Ashley Puriri, Wairoa band K/Line, Hamilton duo Kees, Mihirangi, Agnes & Kahurangi Choir, Young Men Society and Katchafire.

There are 16 Waiata Maori Music Award finalists across nine categories, as well as Radio Airplay Record of the Year by a Maori Artist in Te Reo Maori, sponsored by Te Whakaruruhau o nga Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa and Radio Airplay Record of the Year by a Maori Artist sponsored by NZ on Air.

ENDS

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