Waitahā Kawe Wai Tahā

Māori music is the musical tradition of the Indigenous Māori of Aotearoa New Zealand, spanning ancient chant (mōteatea), percussive dance forms like haka and poi, and a rich corpus of waiata (songs) performed in te reo Māori. At its core are vocal expressions that range from free-rhythm, speech-like chant to later, post-contact part-singing influenced by Christian hymnody. Traditional sound worlds are shaped by taonga pūoro (Māori instruments) such as the kōauau (flute), pūtōrino (bugle-flute), pūtātara (conch trumpet), and various percussive and aerophonic instruments that imitate wind, birds, and the environment. In the modern era, Māori music includes both strictly traditional practice and contemporary fusion with reggae, pop, hip hop, and choral styles, while retaining tikanga (customs), communal participation, and strong links to genealogy, land, and language.