PRESS RELEASE for immediate release 7th May 2009
Hawkins Theatre – Papakura presents
Moana and the Tribe
My mountain greets your mountain, my river greets your river, my tribe greets your tribe.

In the landscape of New Zealand music one genre stands out: music by Maori artists, which is a solid cornerstone, and within itself powerfully diverse. Traditional music sung in te reo (the Maori language) has found its way onto mainstream radio as more and more indigenous singers find poetry and emotional depth in their own tongue.

Maori musicians adopted the social and political consciousness of reggae as much as the loping grooves, and today Maori artists are represented in every musical style from opera to dub, country music to rock. And of course in te reo music which is a separate category in the annual music awards.

One of the most distinctive, articulate and significant Maori voices is Moana Maniapoto who - first with Moana and the Moahunters and latterly as Moana & the Tribe - has taken her often politically conscious music to festivals across the world.

Moana has been awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to Maori and music, and in 2007 was also honoured with the prestigious award of New Zealand Art Laureate.

Moana and the Tribe will be returning from KUCHING / Malaysia Rainforest Festival in Sarawak / Borneo and packing into the Hawkins Theatre in Papakura to perform as part of their Matariki celebrations.

Hawkins Theatre Manager Graeme Bennett says “it’s as if all the stars in the sky have lined up, a world class act like Moana and the Tribe performing at our beautiful theatre during Matariki, what more could we ask for”.

“Unlike our counterparts up the motorway we are making high calibre shows like Moana’s price accessible as part of our commitment to Papakura and South Auckland’s the performing arts, especially during Matariki celebrations at the theatre. Contact the theatre and ask for ‘The Hawkins report’ a quarterly entertainment guide for all events happening at the theatre through to July.

Who: Moana and the Tribe
When: Friday 17th July 2009
Where: Hawkins Theatre – Papakura, 13 Ray Small Drive, Papakura
Tickets: From Papakura Paper Power and iticket, 09 361 1000 and www.iticket.co.nz

ENDS

Following is a list of past highlights and quotes.

The following are some live performance highlights:
• Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux (Switzerland) 2008
• Hamer Hall, Victoria Arts Centre, Melbourne (Australia) 2008
• UN Convention on Biodiversity, Bonn (Germany) 2008
• Club Lovelite, Berlin (Germany) 2008
• Parihaka Peace Festival, New Plymouth (New Zealand) 2008
• Le Club, Moscow (Russia) 2007
• Underground Theatre, Vladivosotk (Russia) 2007
• Oouvea (New Caledonia) 1007
• Festival of Colours, Wanaka (New Zealand) 2006
• Umsonst & Draussen , Aachen (Germany) 2006
• Jazzhaus Freiburg (Germany) 2006
• Val de Roots Festival, Neuchâtel (Switzerland) 2006
• Trades Club, Hebden Bridge(U.K), 2006
• Ritzy Theatre, London (U.K), 2006
• Summer-Festival, Rankweil (Austria) 2006
• Carrington Estate, Karekare (New Zealand) 2006
• Russias Gnesins Music Academy / International House of Arts / Le Club, First Club, Moscow (Russia) 2005
• Komedia, Brighton / Greenwich Picture House London (UK) 2005
• Chatham Islands, (New Zealand) 2005
• Etnosur Festival, Jaen (Spain) 2004
• World Music Day, Cambridge (UK) 2004
• Mühle Hunzigen Bern ( Switzerland ) 2003, 2002
• Open Air St Gallen ( Switzerland) 2003
• Cultural Olympiad, Festival of Sacred Song and Dance, (Olympia/Greece) 2003
• Lustspielhaus, Tollwood Festival, Atomic Café , Munich (Germany ) 2004
• Herodes Atticus Theatre, Acropolis ,Athens(Greece) 2003
• Amsterdam Roots Festival (Holland) 2003
• Reggae Sunsplash , Wiesen (Austria) 2002
• Teatro del Sole Bologna /Collani Romani Festival Rome (Italy) 2002
• Donauinselfest, Vienna (Austria) 2003
• Chiemsee Reggae Summer Festival (Germany) 2002
• Bardentreffen, Nürnberg(Germany) 2002 & many more
Live Reviews
"The magic of Moana and the Tribe….more than 10.000 attended….up first were Moana & the Tribe, with an excellent and wild fusion of music, dance, singing, rhythms and haka-dancers. They sang melodic traditional songs from their country which were translated by one of the organizers. The musicians were excellent, the backing vocalists harmonious rounding out a very innovative band that had younger members of the audience surging nearer, fascinated."
- P.B, Ideal, Espana, 2004
The group that has left the biggest impression was Moana & the Tribe. Led by singer Moana Maniapoto, a charismatic artist with great sensuality in her interpretation, they offered without doubt the best concert of the (Australasian World Music Expo) showcases. That Maori group (indigenous of New Zealand) combines great energy and creativity combined in one spectacle.
- World 1 Music Magazine, 2008
"The current crop of over-sanitized, easy-listening elevator music masquerading as Polynesian is fully exposed as all sugar and no substance when it’s stacked next to Moana & the Tribe. …the N.Z band staged a stirring and entertaining performance at Munich’s Lustspielhaus on Monday night, successfully fusing vocal harmonies, dance and video with infectious playing. If ever world music is to be convincing, then this is it – a multi-talented band creating a small cultural cosmos representing their continent with self-confidence, passion and espirit…"- G.R, Süddeutsche Zeitung München, 2004

CD Reviews

“Exquisite and sensual musical warmth and passion." - Groove Guide (NZ)

“The mix of traditional Maori sounds, karanga and haka, classical and dub, among many others come together effortlessly. Te Apo, a militant haka-driven call to arms, is one of the best local songs of the year” - NZ Herald

“Another diverse, informed and quite moving album (Titia is a dtribute to the late activist and leader Syd Jackson) by one of our finest” – Elsewhere

“No other New Zealand bands (are) internationally promoting the music, culture and landscape of Aotearoa on the same level as Moana & the Tribe." - Groove Guide (NZ)

"Her best and most inviting album yet" - NZ Herald

“This is the best album yet by one of this country's most celebrated musicians and you need to hear it." - Waikato Times

"audiences in the US, Germany and Russia have been moved to tears by songs in a language they don't understand" - NZ Musician

“ it’s their first album that is completely done in Maori, but at the same times it is one of the records which is really stretching musical boundaries…its really, really good – Radio NZ

…despite the formidable male chants, it's the matriarchal members that rule on this album, with Moana's powerful vocals blending seamlessly with the earthy harmonies of her sister Katrina and Amiria Reriti. The gentle reggae styling of "Whaura" masks its strident lyrics, which challenge the romanticized image of the Pacific as a tropical paradise, ignoring the political strife and sovereignty issues that plague many of the region's fragile island states. It's not all politics though: there are poignant odes to ancestors, the new Zealand landscape, love songs enhanced by string ensemble and traditional taonga puoro instruments…. An impressive collection from one of Aotearoa's most insightful contemporary artists. Wha is simply wonderful” - Songlines, Nov 2008

“combines south pacific melodies with powerful Maori beats and chants.” Mondomix 2008