2019 New Zealand Youth Choir Photo: Latitude Creative
Waerenga-a-Hika was inspired by the siege of Waerenga-a-Hika pa in 1865 by the Crown. Seventy-one occupants of the pa were killed and 100 wounded, while the Crown suffered 11 dead and 20 wounded. Most of the siege survivors were deported to the Chatham Islands, where they were held without trial until their escape two years later.
Originally written for kapa haka group and guitar, the New Zealand Youth Choir performs Robert Wiremu’s arrangement for a cappella choir.
Founded in 1979, the award-winning New Zealand Youth Choir comprises around 50 singers aged 18-25. It has toured overseas 11 times, including the UK, Europe, North America, Australia, Singapore, Russia, South Korea and China.
Recorded 5 July 2019, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington by RNZ Concert
Producer: David McCaw
Engineer: Graham Kennedy
