Acclaimed performer Ariana Tikao (Kai Tahu) will perform from her new waiata Kia Mataara
Kia Mataara is the first new release from Ariana since her album From Dust to Light (2012)
The new waiata is dedicated to and inspired by Ariana's teenage daughter. This hauntingly beautiful song has at its heart a call to all young women to, as the title says, 'be alert and vigilant≠ and to be strong within themselves. It's a message to stay true to yourself and stay strong in the face of whatever is to come, says Ariana.
The first recording of the new single was made at Bob Bickerton's Nelson studio as part of a whānau album that Ariana is working on with Solomon Rahui and Holly Weir Tikao with funding support from the Ngāi Tahu Fund.
Internationally acclaimed taonga puoro expert Richard Nunns will perform with Ariana and also Jacquie Walters, her former musical partner in the duo Pounamu will reunite with Ariana at this Fairfield concert.
Ariana is well-known to New Zealand audiences having performed Ōhaki (a multi-media show) with Richard Nunns to standing ovations in both Christchurch and Nelson, having toured New Zealand with Hannah Howes for Wahine Toa and with two other Kai Tahu musicians, Mahina-ina Kaui and Christine White as Voices of our Ancestors, as part of Arts on Tour NZ.
Ariana has also featured on the album Ihimaera and has toured and recorded with folk crossover group Emeralds and Greenstone. Many people will remember Ariana's stunning rendition of Whakaaria Mai for the Christchurch Earthquake Memorial event in Hagley Park. The event was broadcast live and screened internationally in February 2012.
