We asked and you responded! 2025 has been a remarkable year for waiata Māori – with artists blending traditional forms, powerful storytelling, and contemporary sounds across charts, festivals, and award stages. From chart-topping albums to waiata that have captured the hearts of Aotearoa listeners, here are five of the standout Māori songs that defined the year:
1. “Rere Mai Ngā Rau” – Marlon Williams
Marlon Williams topped the charts in 2025 with his first entirely te reo Māori album, Te Whare Tīwekaweka – a deeply personal and culturally rich project that became the first full Māori language album to reach number one on the NZ charts. One of the standout tracks, “Rere Mai Ngā Rau,” blends smooth melodies with evocative te reo lyrics and has resonated widely for its musical depth and cultural roots. This achievement marks a major milestone for Māori music in the mainstream – not just as a niche genre, but as central to the New Zealand soundscape in 2025.
2. “Aua Atu Rā” – Marlon Williams
Another hit from Te Whare Tīwekaweka, “Aua Atu Rā,” was released ahead of the full album and quickly became one of the year’s most talked-about waiata. Drawing inspiration from Māori showband traditions and embodying both contemporary style and cultural reverence, the song speaks to identity, community and personal journey in te reo Māori.
3. “Mānawa maiea Matariki” – TAWAZ
TAWAZ secured major recognition in 2025, including awards for best song by a Māori artist and radio airplay song of the year at the Waiata Māori Music Awards. While not necessarily a household name internationally, within Aotearoa’s Māori music community the song has made strong cultural and musical impact – and its prominence on airwaves reflects waiata reo Māori’s ongoing rise in popularity.
4. “What’s The Time” – Mr Wolf / Teina Mamaori
Emerging Māori artists also took centre stage in 2025, and songs like “What’s The Time” by Teina Mamaori (featured on genre charts) have highlighted the energy and diversity within the waiata Māori scene. This track blends contemporary production with bilingual lyricism and showcases the next generation of Māori musicians carrying te reo into new musical spaces.
5. Waiata by Corrella & L.A.B / Ka Hao (in Māori language)
Songs from groups like Corrella & L.A.B and reimagined Māori collaborations have continued to reinforce Te Reo Māori’s place in popular music. Tracks such as “We Belong” (with Corrella and L.A.B) and Ka Hao’s hits featuring Māori language verses – included in 2025 playlists – have helped rei (te reo Māori) find broader audiences and emotional resonance across generations.
2025 has made it clear that Māori music is not just surviving – it is thriving. Waiata in te reo Māori have appeared on official charts, won major awards, and opened cross-cultural dialogues. Songs sung entirely in te reo have topped Aotearoa charts, and mainstream artists like Marlon Williams have helped propel waiata Māori into the spotlight – while respecting the language and the traditions from which these songs come.
