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New Waiata Drops As Matariki Rises - Our Songs. Our Waiata. Our Movement
As Aotearoa celebrates the rise of Matariki, heralding the Māori New Year, Waiata Anthems are proud to support the release of Matariki Hunga Nui - Calling Me Home: a special bilingual theme song for Matariki 2025 and beyond, performed by Rob Ruha, Troy Kingi and Kaylee Bell with Professor Rangi Mātāmua. Matariki Hunga Nui - Calling Me Home will be available on all streaming platforms on June 16, with a music video and short documentary to be released on Waiata Anthems platforms that same week.
At the heart of this kaupapa is Professor Rangi Mātāmua, who championed the recognition of Matariki as a time for all of Aotearoa to acknowledge our past, celebrate our present, and look to a bright future. This year's theme, Matariki mā Puanga, also acknowledges the star Puanga (Rigel) beyond the Matariki cluster, whose rising marks the New Year for some iwi. Embracing the broader Matariki mā Puanga message of inclusion and embracing diversity as we celebrate Matariki together, Prof. Rangi Mātāmua collaborated with three creatively distinct, multi-award-winning musicians to produce the celebratory waiata. Leading figure in the waiata Māori movement, Rob Ruha, joins genre-shapeshifter, Troy Kingi, and 60-million-times-streamed country music artist, Kaylee Bell, to contribute their unique voices and styles on this fresh yet timeless waiata which will be sung across the motu every Matariki.
Matariki Hunga Nui - Calling Me Home embodies the wairua and significance of Matariki in a waiata which is undeniably catchy and crafted to be singable by all, with even Prof. Rangi Mātāmua making his vocal debut on the recording alongside New Zealand's brightest music stars; 'I don't see a future as a pop star on the cards for me but it's a waiata that just feels good to sing. And if I can hold the tune, anyone can.' Troy Kingi reiterates that Matariki Hunga Nui - Calling Me Home belongs to all of Aotearoa, 'We actually want the chorus to be interchangeable. We want to put it out there that when people sing they can make up their own words. We want people to take ownership of the song. It's going to be a banger.'
Released as a special project under the acclaimed Waiata Anthems musical series in time for the Matariki public holiday, Matariki Hunga Nui - Calling Me Home celebrates the season's themes of whakapapa, remembrance, renewal, and togetherness through music.
Matariki Hunga Nui - Calling Me Home will be released on all music streaming platforms on 16 June 2025.
Song Title: Matariki Hunga Nui - Calling Me Home
Artist(s):, Rob Ruha, Kaylee Bell, Troy Kingi
Producer: Noema Te Hau
Matariki Advisor: Professor Rangi Mātāmua
