Robert Ruha and the cover of this EP Tiki tapu. Images supplied by Darylene Rogers.
Robert Ruha nō Te whanau a Apanui, Ngāti Pōrou, has spent the past decade tutoring and writing songs for east coast kapahaka group Te Whānau ā Apanui. It’s a role that he’s comfortable with, so in the process of going solo with the launch of his debut EP Tiki tapu, it was a little daunting not to have his 40-strong group behind him.
Robert talks about Tiki tapu with Justine Murray and explains why here is no real difference between writing for kapahaka and a mass audience.
