Junelle — Ra’iatea Single Release Show
13 November | 7.30pm | Ponsonby Social Club
With special guest Riki Bennett on taonga pūoro
Opening performance by Keshia
After more than a decade since her debut EP Just This Sky (2014), Ra’iatea marks the first release to carry Junelle’s name and voice once again.
Following her acclaimed work as executive producer of Inner World, the Dalai Lama’s debut album that blended music and spirituality to bring healing across cultures, Junelle (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Pūkenga, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) now replicates the same kaupapa i te ao Māori.
Ra’iatea is the first release from her new collaboration with esteemed kaumātua Sir Haare Williams, weaving his poetic wisdom into song. Together they bridge te ao Māori and te ao Pākehā, wairua and sound, poetry and melody, creating a deeply spiritual bilingual work that explores connection, vulnerability, and sacredness.
Performed live with silver scroll winner, Riki Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa, Ngāti Porou) on taonga pūoro.
Opening the night is the radiant Keshia. A South African-born, New Zealand-based artist whose sound is rooted in R&B, Soul, and Jazz.
