Sam Hema is organising a musical event that will help educate people about Matariki. Photo / Andrew Warner
Sam Hema is organising a musical event that will help educate people about Matariki. Photo / Andrew Warner
Some of the Bay's biggest names in music are joining forces to celebrate and educate the community about the Maori new year, Matariki.
Sam Hema, a DJ and vocalist, is organising Matariki Allstars 2018 - an event highlighting the season of Matariki featuring a musical line-up including Ria Hall, Laughton Kora, L.A.B, Israel Starr and guests.
Bay of Plenty-based band L.A.B are part of the Matariki Allstars 2018 line-up. Photo/File
The event, which Hema describes as Aotearoa's premiere music event recognising Matariki, will be held at Mount Maunganui's Totara St on June 22.
"What you've got is what I consider some of the most quintessential New Zealand musicians and artists - established and rising," Hema said.
He was excited about the line-up and had no doubt the inaugural event would sell out. Hema said with Kora as a "musical force", Starr an artist, producer and chief executive of his own record label, the local support L.A.B had and Hall's reputation, the event would be a powerful one.
Laughton Kora. Photo/File
Matariki indicates the beginning of the Maori New Year, which is a time for preparations and planning for the year ahead. Hema said he wanted to organise an event which celebrated Matariki while also educating the community.
He said Matariki Allstars 2018 - a concept Hema came up with about four years ago - was a music event first and foremost, which also highlighted the season of Matariki.
"This is a creative opportunity to tell the narrative of Matariki," he said.
"In the event, we will have creative elements of educating people about Matariki."
He said he always knew he wanted Hall to be part of the event and was excited to have her on board.
"She is kaupapa driven, the very heart of what she is doing is her culture, and that directs her art," Hema said.
Ria Hall. Photo/File
"I had always had her in mind when I came up with the concept," Hema said.
People attending next month's Matariki Allstars 2018 would be able to come away with a better understanding of what Matariki was all about while also celebrating quality New Zealand music.
"You'll find some really strong historical background."
"Tickets are going to sell out."
As a musician himself, Hema knows the peak season for work is summer so it can be hard to keep busy in the off-season.
"You've got to work at it, and you've got to find that work at as well."
He says winter could be a slow one for musicians but the fact that Maori "celebrate a new year in the winter" provides an opportunity to celebrate something unique and provide a platform for musicians.
"Being a part of the music scene is also about supporting it too."
This year's event is the first one, and Hema hopes it becomes an essential part of Tauranga's event calendar for years to come, growing and celebrating music and Matariki to become a festival eventually.
