Listen Now: 
March 10, 2026
Ngahiwi Apanui: A Mighty Kauri Falls: Aotearoa Mourns the Passing of Dilworth Karaka
Dale Husband
Posted On March 10, 2026
Download AudioA towering figure in Aotearoa’s music and cultural landscape has passed away, with tributes flowing following the death of Dilworth Karaka – the longtime frontman and guiding force behind the legendary band Herbs.
Karaka’s passing marks the loss of one of the most influential voices in New Zealand music history, a man whose work helped define the sound and political consciousness of a generation.
Long before Herbs became one of the country’s most iconic bands, Karaka had already established himself as a respected musician. In the 1970s he was performing regularly in venues such as the Great Northern Hotel alongside his band Papa, earning a reputation as a talented and committed performer.
His path would soon intersect with a small group of musicians beginning to perform together at the Trident Tavern in Onehunga – a group that would eventually evolve into Herbs.
What followed was a musical journey that would span more than four decades.
As band members came and went, Karaka became the steady presence at the heart of Herbs. Over time he emerged not only as the band’s leader but also as a mentor to generations of Māori and Pacific musicians across the region.
Through his leadership, Herbs helped shape what became known as Pacific reggae – a distinctive sound that blended reggae rhythms with the political and cultural realities of Aotearoa and the wider Pacific.
The band’s songs tackled some of the most pressing issues of the time, giving voice to communities whose concerns were often overlooked in mainstream media and politics.
Their music spoke out against the Crown’s treatment of Māori land rights protesters, challenged the targeting of Pacific peoples during the era of the so-called overstayers, and raised awareness of global issues including French nuclear testing in the Pacific, Japanese drift-net fishing and the apartheid regime in South Africa.
For many listeners, Herbs became more than just a band – they became a movement.
Karaka once reflected that the group saw themselves as giving voice to those who were not being heard. That kaupapa became central to the band’s identity and legacy.
When the documentary Herbs: Songs of Freedom was released in 2019, band founder Toni Fonoti acknowledged Karaka’s central role in keeping the band’s message alive for more than 40 years.
Fonoti described him as the enduring face of Herbs – the person who carried the band’s vision forward while remaining committed to its core purpose of confronting injustice through music.
Karaka was also closely connected to major moments in Māori activism, including the struggle over Bastion Point, and he remained deeply engaged with the political and cultural issues affecting Māori and Pacific communities throughout his life.
Those who worked alongside him often spoke of his generosity as a mentor and his commitment to building unity between Māori and Pacific artists at a time when those communities were not always closely connected.
In doing so, Karaka helped shape a new cultural movement in Aotearoa – one where music became a powerful vehicle for identity, resistance and solidarity across the Pacific.
His influence continues to be felt across the country’s music scene, with countless artists acknowledging Herbs as a major inspiration for their own work.
As news of his passing spreads, tributes are coming from across the arts, political and community sectors, all acknowledging the profound impact of a musician who used his voice not just to entertain, but to challenge injustice and uplift his people.
Dilworth Karaka leaves behind a legacy that stretches far beyond the stage – one woven through the soundtrack of modern Aotearoa and the ongoing struggle for justice and dignity across the Pacific.
RELATED NEWS
