They caught up with the promoter of the 1981 tour, local man Hugh Lynn, and had a “jam” with music students of the Te Wananga o Aotearoa Whirikoka campus.
They also had interviews at radio stations Turanga FM and Radio Ngati Porou.
In the Turanga FM interview they reflected on their origins, including that first visit to Aotearoa.
“When we came here in 1981, it was something for us that was out of this world,” said Brightly. “We left the UK as a group with some success. We arrived in New Zealand as mega-stars.
“In the 12 days we were here, we had Maori welcomes. It was so overwhelming.
“We had an experience we had never had before. We had such a warm welcoming, from family to family, and it hasn’t changed.
“We’re back here without our instruments, to be among our family and talk about it.
“The cultural experience is what turned us around and brought us back here again.”
The Black Slate documentary will explore the impact of what British reggae was to the world.
“Because no one really knows,” said Brightly.
“We need to know. We’re trying to put the pieces together and we want to share with the world.
“That’s why we’re here — to hear from the people who were part of the tour.
“We’re seeing pictures of our signatures and people still have them on the wall.
“New Zealand has managed to be part of the reggae music culture and you’ve continued it from one generation to the next.
“Now we’re meeting the children of those who came to see us in ’81 who are listening to our music.
“That alone is priceless.”
