Former Dead Flowers guitarist and award-nominated Māori artist Riqi Harawira is forging a new musical journey that places te reo Māori, whakapapa and cultural revitalisation at the heart of his work.
Known to many through his years in the acclaimed rock band Dead Flowers, Harawira has increasingly turned his focus towards creating music that reconnects listeners with language, identity and traditional Māori knowledge.
The Ngāpuhi and Te Aupōuri musician says the transition represents more than a change in musical direction. It reflects a deeper journey of cultural reconnection and a desire to contribute to the revitalisation of te reo Māori through contemporary music.
Central to that journey has been his work with Te Kete Puoro, an initiative that uses music as a vehicle for language learning, cultural engagement and community connection. By combining traditional and contemporary sounds, Te Kete Puoro creates opportunities for learners to engage with te reo Māori in an accessible and meaningful way.
Music has long been recognised as a powerful educational tool, helping people absorb language through repetition, rhythm and emotion. For many learners, waiata provides an entry point into te reo Māori while strengthening understanding of tikanga, whakapapa and cultural narratives.
One of Harawira’s recent projects has involved reinterpreting the treasured waiata Ka Pīoioi. The song holds a special place in Māori musical heritage, and reimagining it for contemporary audiences carries both creative opportunity and cultural responsibility.
Rather than simply reproducing a well-known composition, Harawira’s approach seeks to honour the original while creating space for new generations to engage with the waiata. The work reflects a broader movement among Māori artists who are breathing new life into traditional compositions while preserving their cultural significance.
For Harawira, reconnecting with culture and language has been both a personal and artistic transformation. The process has deepened his understanding of identity and strengthened connections to whānau, ancestors and the communities that continue to nurture te reo Māori.
Across Aotearoa, a growing number of musicians are using their platforms to support language revitalisation efforts. Māori-language music is experiencing unprecedented growth, reaching audiences both nationally and internationally while helping normalise the use of te reo Māori in everyday life.
Harawira’s contribution reflects the important role artists can play in strengthening cultural confidence and inspiring others to begin their own journeys of reconnection.
As te reo Māori continues to flourish across the arts, education and public life, musicians such as Riqi Harawira are demonstrating how creativity can become a powerful force for cultural renewal, ensuring treasured waiata and ancestral knowledge continue to resonate with future generations.
