Listen To Half/Time's Single 'Ōrākau'

Launched amidst last Friday's flurry of local releases, Kirikiriroa's Half/Time aka Wairehu Grant (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) has shared searing post-punk waiata 'Ōrākau'. Sung entirely in te reo, the single is named in reference to The Battle of Ōrākau in 1864 — "300 Māori of various central North Island iwi against over 1400 British troops" — after which interpreter William Mair expressed "disgust at the generally obscene and profane behaviour of the troops." Attracting devotees via such electrifying releases as recent student radio fave 'TV Show Cop' and 2021's self-titled EP, Half/Time will be tearing it up with Tāmaki Makaurau punx Bloodbags and No Brainers at his Waikato hometown's Last Place on 10th September. Read his words on 'Ōrākau' and hit play below...

"This waiata is dedicated to my tūpuna who stood against colonial forces at the battle of Ōrākau in 1864. 300 Māori of various central North Island iwi against over 1400 British troops. I am named after one of the sons of Te Huia Raureti, a kairākau (warrior) who helped lead survivors of the conflict away from the battleground via the Puniu River, pursued by Von Tempsky and his Forest Rangers.

Ka whawhai tonu mātou ake, ake, ake (we will fight on forever and ever and ever). These words were addressed to the opposing force before the battle, by Te Huia Raureti's uncle, Rewi Maniapoto.

The photo shared here was taken by James Cowan in 1914, on the 50th anniversary of the battle of Ōrākau. These were a few of the surviving warriors of the battle, from left to right they are Te Wairoa Piripi, Hekiera te Rangai, Huihi Pou-Patate, Te Huia Raureti, Mahu Te Mona, te Wharerangi Parekawa." — Wairehu Grant