Calling me home: how a Matariki anthem wrote a new chapter in the story of Māori country music
- Written by Kirsten Zemke, Pouako Matua (Senior Lecturer) in Ethnomusicology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Matariki has come and gone for another year, but the melody still shimmers. I’m referring in particular to a song released for the 2025 Māori new year: Matariki Hunga Nui – Calling Me Home, by Rob Ruha, Troy Kingi and Kaylee Bell.
Bilingual and line-dance friendly, the music video for the track featured many joining in the fun,...