MEDIA RELEASE
FRIDAY 4th AUGUST, 2023
Te Matatini Gifts Trilingual Waiata to NZ Rugby
As our national rugby team faces off against Australia in the Bledisloe Cup match this Saturday, they'll be going into the game with more than a rugby rivalry that spans decades, they’ll also be armed with a waiata which is a celebration of haka, music and language.
Te Matatini will gift the music single 'Kia Kino Nei Hoki’ to NZ Rugby to signify the continuation of the legacy that brings together haka and rugby. Chairman of Te Matatini Sir Selwyn Parata says "the power of waiata is it's ability to transcend barriers and languages to evoke ihi, te wehi me te wana. Kia Kino Nei Hoki is a unifying force to rally our nation and fans worldwide to get behind our team".
The electrifying live performance of 'Kia Kino Nei Hoki' will ring out across a sold out Forsyth Barr stadium during the match this weekend.
Performed by Aotearoa’s most popular Māori music artists and haka exponents Rob Ruha and Ria Hall, featuring three-time Te Matatini world champions Te Kapa Haka o Te Whānau a Apanui. The songs official release on Friday 11th August will honour and celebrate Māori music month.
'Kia Kino Nei Hoki' is an energising beat that creates an undeniable connection between stadium & stage. Rob Ruha says "the spirit of the song is charged with the excitement and adrenaline that kaihaka feel on the side of stage before we go out to perf orm. No doubt that spirit will be similar to when our team is in the changing room before they hit the rugby field."
'Kia Kino Nei Hoki’ is a trilingual waiata in Te Reo Māori, Français and English and is the masterpiece of multi-award winning artists Rob Ruha, Ria Hall, Pere Wihongi & Devin Abrams.
Click Here to pre-save 'Kia Kino Nei Hoki' ahead of the single's official release.
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