March 17, 2026

#Arts: Waiata meets big band jazz at this year’s National Jazz Festival

Matthew Tukaki Posted On March 17, 2026

A unique fusion of te reo Māori and big band jazz will take centre stage at this year’s National Jazz Festival in Tauranga, highlighting the growing presence of Māori language and storytelling in contemporary music.

The performance will feature waiata backed by the powerful sound of a full big band when TNT! Capital City Big Band takes the stage at Baycourt Community and Arts Centre. The bilingual musical arrangement is expected to be one of the standout performances of the festival programme.

The event forms part of the Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival, which returns from 27 March to 6 April for its 63rd year. Over eleven days the festival will bring a wide range of concerts, street performances and community events to Tauranga and Mount Maunganui, transforming the region into a hub for jazz and live music.

Organisers say the inclusion of waiata within a big band jazz setting reflects the festival’s evolving programme and its commitment to celebrating diverse musical traditions. By combining the rhythms and structure of jazz with the language and cultural expression of Māori music, the performance aims to create a distinctive sound that connects tradition with modern musical forms.

The festival has long been a fixture on Aotearoa’s arts calendar, drawing musicians and audiences from around the country and overseas. Performances will take place at venues including Baycourt Theatre, The Historic Village and the Cargo Shed, while bars, restaurants and public spaces across Tauranga will host live jazz events during the festival period.

One of the major highlights of the festival is the National Youth Jazz Competition, which brings together hundreds of secondary school musicians from across Aotearoa. This year around 850 students from 42 schools are expected to take part, performing in dozens of combos and big bands.

The competition has played a key role in nurturing young musical talent, with a number of well-known New Zealand artists first gaining national attention through the event.

Festival organisers say the National Jazz Festival continues to thrive because of the collaboration between musicians, venues, sponsors and volunteers who come together each year to celebrate live music and creativity.

With the addition of performances blending waiata and jazz, this year’s festival also reflects the growing recognition of Māori culture within contemporary performing arts, bringing new audiences and fresh perspectives to one of Aotearoa’s longest-running music celebrations.