He Aha Te Aha: Anzac waiata released to commemorate Sir Robert Bom Gillies, 28th Māori Battalion
'It is an ōhākī [parting wish] to the future; a promise that we will not forget their sacrifices and the values they upheld.'
'Our promise that we won't forget'
Nikau's grandfather fought alongside Gillies. She co-wrote the waiata and is the main singer.
The 17-year-old - who lives between Rotorua and Kawerau - told the Rotorua Daily Post Waiata Anthems commissioned her and other artists to create a waiata to honour the 28th Māori Battalion 'considering this is the first year without any living members'.
She said the waiata was 'our promise that we won't forget'.
'I feel like we don't talk enough about how massive their sacrifice was.
'It felt like a way of saying 'thank you' ... to all of the soldiers in the 28th battalion.'
She said it was a moment for all New Zealanders to remember and reflect.
'Even if you don't know much about the Māori Battalion, I really hope that this song can help people find and feel something. That's where the remembering begins.
'With no one left from the 28th Māori Battalion, they can't speak any more so that's what we have to do.'
Nikau said it was 'incredibly special' to sing the waiata due to her personal connections to the 28th Māori Battalion.
'I kind of grew up hearing the names of the soldiers and being told stories and my Nan's memories.'
She was previously in a band with Gillies' son.
'Honouring our tūpuna'
After two days of recording in Tāmaki Makaurau, 'there was something missing and we couldn't really pinpoint what it was', Nikau said.
'At the same time as that, Matatini was happening and ... Ngāti Whakaue, their whole set was a tribute to Koro Bom and the Māori Battalion.'
Te Kapa Haka o Ngatī Whakaue won the festival with their dedicated performance.
Nikau said it was determined 'that's our missing ingredient'.
'They were our baking powder ... they just made our cake rise.
'We then had one day in Rotorua to record with them ... the harmonies were unreal.
'It was so much fun ... just a lot of happy people who were all there for the reason of honouring our tūpuna [ancestors].'
Nikau - who studies te reo Māori at the University of Waikato in Tauranga - said she became a 'performer' singer when she was 7 and sang at Kawerau's Christmas in the Park.
'From then, I just was so fortunate to find all these incredible people who really wanted to help mold and shape my voice.
'I'm not sure if I would be where I am right now if it weren't for my village.'
The waiata has been released today on all streaming platforms, along with a short documentary and music video on Waiata Anthems platforms.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Techday NZ
a day ago
- Techday NZ
Trade Me seeks gaming chief to shape E Blacks' global success
Trade Me Jobs and the New Zealand Esports Federation are seeking a Chief Gaming Officer to help determine the future direction of the E Blacks, New Zealand's national esports team. The Chief Gaming Officer role, now open for applications, will involve playtesting competitive gaming titles and providing critical insights to inform which games the E Blacks will compete in internationally. This appointment is described as central to shaping the team's competitive focus and the wider esports landscape in New Zealand. According to data from the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association in 2023, 79% of New Zealanders play video games, with 88% of adults aged 18-44 engaging in gaming activities. The press release also states that the global video games industry now exceeds the size of both the film and music industries combined, reflecting the substantial economic and cultural impact of gaming. Esports achieved official sports recognition in New Zealand in 2020, and the country's competitive gaming scene has grown significantly since then. More than 160 secondary school teams are currently competing in weekly competitions, indicating a strong pipeline of interest and talent at the grassroots level. The Chief Gaming Officer position is described as an opportunity for a gamer to progress from community or casual gaming to a prominent and influential role, responsible for influencing national team selection and strategy. The successful candidate will work closely with the E Blacks, testing and pushing the limits of competitive games under consideration for international play, and delivering feedback that will help determine the team's focus for the upcoming season. "The Chief Gaming Officer is a chance to help shape the path of competitive gaming in Aotearoa. We're looking for someone with the skills and smarts to test the best, push boundaries, and help us decide which games our E Blacks will take to the world," says Jonathan Jansen, CEO of the NZ Esports Federation. Nicole Williams, Head of Trade Me Jobs, offered further perspective on the role's significance within the wider context of career opportunities in gaming. "We created these dream jobs to show that meaningful work can come in all shapes and sizes. For so many Kiwi, gaming is more than a pastime - it's a skillset, a passion, and in this case, a genuine career opportunity. We're excited to help turn that into something real." This initiative is the final stage of Trade Me Jobs' "dream job" campaign, following previous partnerships with AJ Hackett and Highlands Motorsport Park. The campaign has focused on showcasing diverse and unconventional career paths across New Zealand. The official job description calls for candidates who are passionate and highly skilled gamers, able to test and evaluate new competitive titles, and contribute honest and strategic feedback to help determine which games the E Blacks should pursue in international competitions. The position is based in Auckland and is described as an opportunity to influence not only the composition of the national team but also the broader competitive structure of New Zealand's esports scene. In addition to influencing game selection for the E Blacks, the Chief Gaming Officer will report on the playability and spectator appeal of titles under consideration, with the objective of ensuring that the New Zealand team competes with games that are both challenging for players and engaging for audiences. The growth of esports in New Zealand reflects international trends, with major games now drawing player bases larger than the populations of many countries. The organisational partnership between Trade Me Jobs and the New Zealand Esports Federation is aimed at translating the widespread popularity of gaming into a structured, competitive environment that can represent New Zealand on the world stage. The Chief Gaming Officer position is open for applications now, with the selection expected to play a pivotal role in upcoming international seasons. Follow us on: Share on:
The Spinoff
a day ago
- The Spinoff
RNZ at a crossroads after scathing independent review
Last week's review has exposed RNZ National's weaknesses – and left its leadership facing pressure to deliver a turnaround, writes Catherine McGregor in today's extract from The Bulletin. A blistering review RNZ National's failings were laid bare last week in a withering review by former news boss Richard Sutherland. Commissioned by RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson, the report painted a picture of a broadcaster that has lost its way – culturally, strategically, and on air. Sutherland described a widespread belief among staff that live radio was a 'sunset activity' rather than a growth opportunity, and said the quality of broadcast talent was variable: 'some people shouldn't be on air' at all. His interviews with more than 50 staff revealed blame-shifting, low ambition and confusion about who the audience is. The consequences are showing in the ratings: RNZ National has shed nearly a quarter of its listeners since 2019, dropping from over 616,000 to fewer than 470,000. If that trend continues, the audience could fall below 340,000 by 2030 – a disaster for a public broadcaster whose flagship radio division was once regarded as untouchable. Kerton's cutting critique For radio veteran Bill Kerton, none of this was revelatory. Writing in The Spinoff, he dismisses the review as too little, far too late. What angers him most is that Thompson even needed to outsource such advice, having told Sutherland he sought 'independent, frank guidance' for a station-wide reset. 'I had to re-read that note,' Kerton writes. 'Where was RNZ's chief strategy officer? Busy doing what?' He lambasts RNZ as bloated and directionless, and suggests the $30,000 review raised such obvious issues they could have been summarised by Thompson's 'office cleaner' in a few sentences. The fixes are achievable, he says – sharper programming and stronger talent, including a marquee hire – but he doubts RNZ's bureaucracy has the speed or will to deliver. A more sympathetic view Anna Rawhiti-Connell, by contrast, is a fan of Sutherland's frankness. In The Spinoff this morning she highlights his 'bold' proposal to target listeners aged 50 to 69, a move that cuts against the grain of public media's 'all things to all people' ethos and the wider industry's obsession with chasing younger audiences. Anna acknowledges the risks of defining the core audience as older and potentially shrinking, but also appreciates the clear-eyed approach. Focusing on a single age bracket is 'a blunt instrument, and there will be criticism that it lacks nuance,' she notes. But, 'the first step in being audience-first … is to define that audience. Sutherland has done that. I'm not sure much more nuance is required at this point.' A political target As Kerton notes, the report could easily become a political football: 'A $30,000 report into a massively over-resourced government asset…is exactly what New Zealanders are utterly sick of reading about.' Newsroom's Mark Jennings says RNZ has few friends in the coalition: Act questions its very existence, while Winston Peters still harbours grudges over a 'perceived lack of reporting on his party's successes'. Already on the outs with many in government, RNZ is now an even more attractive target for 'flailing' Paul Goldsmith. The media minister's 'one achievement seems to have been getting walked over by Google and Facebook', writes Jennings, proving himself no more effective than his hapless predecessor Melissa Lee, who lasted only six months in the job. 'If the same rules applied, [Goldsmith] should also be handing the portfolio over to the next hopeful.' Who could be RNZ National's saviour? Attention now turns to talent – or the lack thereof. Both Sutherland and media commentators say RNZ desperately needs a 'get' to reinvigorate its lineup. But as the Herald's Shayne Currie notes (paywalled), many of the top names are locked down: Mike Hosking, Heather du Plessis-Allan and Ryan Bridge are welded to Newstalk ZB, while Jack Tame is tied to both TVNZ and ZB. Hiring Paddy Gower, Rebecca Wright, Tova O'Brien or Duncan Garner could be a slightly easier ask. 'But the search for outside talent also highlights RNZ's failure to develop more of its own presenters into top performers,' writes Jennings. Emile Donovan and Alexa Cook are rising stars, says Currie, though perhaps not yet ready to anchor flagship programmes. For now, RNZ's challenge is finding the right hire at the right time – a decision that will determine whether the station can turn its slide around.
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Celebrity chef Al Brown has a taste for Hikurangi Home Cookery treats
Although he hit a speed bump when his card declined, much to his own amusement. Three failed cards and a bit of cash later he was back on track. He rated the pie a 'solid' 8.5 out of 10, saying there will be no 10s in his series. 'When you give anyone a 10 there's only one place they can go and that's down.' His next bite was into a baked piece 'of brilliance' - a raspberry bun and cream bun crammed into one. 'Oh my God, this is unbelievable. This is nine-and-a-half. Seriously,' the celebrity chef raved. Hikurangi Home Cookery manager Lenore Jellick says the bakery's secret to success is keeping the Kiwi classics on the shelves. Photo / Brodie Stone Brown's glowing review was proof to the bakery's manager, Lenore Jellick, that their dedication to keeping the old school classics on the shelves has paid off. When asked what it meant to have such great feedback, Jellick grew emotional. Chef Al Brown is a chef, restaurateur and TV presenter. Photo / NZME The bakery was a family affair and they were all passionate about what they did. So what does it take to capture the attention of one of the country's most revered chefs? Lenore Jellick, manager at Hikurangi Home Cookery, says their selection of pies tend to fly out the door. Photo / Brodie Stone 'It's old school,' Jellick said. 'They go, 'oh I remember this when I was younger'.' Perfectly golden pies line a warmer, none of the classics missing as steak and kidney, potato top, mince are all on offer. Expertly crafted cakes were ready to be purchased. So were a selection of quiches. Then there were the rows of doughnuts, buns, slices, cakes, lamingtons and more. It's a typical small-town bakery that New Zealanders love. Jellick said they had a loyal customer base who travelled from other suburbs or came in on their way north to sample a treat or two. Their other bakery in Tikipunga is another favourite for locals, she said. Lenore Jellick says the doughnuts are another popular staple at Hikurangi Home Cookery. Photo / Brodie Stone Al Brown's not the only celebrity they've had visit their Hikurangi spot either. Psychic Kelvin Cruickshank liked a bite to eat there and broadcaster Duncan Garner too. 'People just love their good old Kiwi pies and stuff,' Jellick said. Brown had come in a few months earlier, asking permission to start the video series. Customers had come in after the first video was posted, excitedly sharing they had seen their favourite spot featured, Jellick said. Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.
