Award-winning singer-songwriter Ed Waaka (Te Rarawa / Ngati Pahuwera) has released his first-ever single written entirely in te reo Māori.
He performs the stunning 'E Kura', which was inspired by the passing of his grandmother and the imminent birth of his daughter.
Ed Waaka Photo: supplied
Although Ed went to kōhanga reo, he tells Jesse Mulligan that he lost his te reo Māori in mainstream schooling.
Then, thanks to some funding, he began a challenging journey of re-learning it,
"It was really hard for me to try and connect with the Reo 'cause I had lots of self-doubt and stuff."
What kept Ed focused on his self-education and songwriting were thoughts of his daughter Māhina, who was born during lockdown.
"It was a full-on period but good to come out the other end with a bit more learning.
"[The song 'E Kura'] became about being a voice for her to know that wherever life takes her she'll take her tūpuna [ancestry] with her. That bond is unbreakable."
Ed wrote 'E Kura' with his cousins - Māori language experts Stephanie Fong and Dr Jennifer Martin - while reminiscing about their childhood in Mitimiti, Northland.
The whānau also reflected on their grandmother who died recently while Ed played an old family piano.
"Just playing that piano connected me with [my grandmother] and also my other grandmother and my unborn daughter. it was just a really special moment."
- Listen - Ed Waaka shares his favourite tunes (The Mixtape)
- Listen - Ed Waaka plays his song 'War On The Street' (Afternoons)
