Dannevirke teacher set to perform at Te Papa

Dannevirke teacher Kiwa Goddard, 28, won a competition to sing an original piece of Maori music at Te Papa tonight, he is pictured with daughter Pirihira (left), niece Te Waiaromia Arapere and son Rongonui in his classroom at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Tamakinui-a-Rua.

A Dannevirke teacher will perform alongside his idols at Te Papa in Wellington tonight.

Kiwa Goddard, 28, takes the stage at a Nga Whetu o Matariki concert - after winning a competition calling for entrants to compose and play an original waiata with a Gallipoli, Matariki or aroha theme.

Singers plucked from the nationwide search will play along with Ria Hall and Robert Ruha at Te Papa's Te Marae.

"Even more than winning even if I had come second or third, even forth - the mere fact I will be introduced to and play alongside these people is enough," Mr Goddard said. "They inspire me. Most of the Maori music I listen to is by [them], for me Ria is like the Maori Beyonce and Robert is the Maori Kanye West - for me I don't really get into Beyonce or Kanye, but that's how much they mean to me."

A love of Maori language is as strong as his devotion to music, and is something he uses every day as a Maori medium educator at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Tamakinui-a-Rua.

Mr Goddard's song, Tetipea was pre-written as a love ballad for his partner and impressed judges who called to say he'd made the cut.

The win came as a shock at first but nerves soon turned to excitement. He has enlisted the help of cousins for back-up vocals and hoped to have a guitarist and bongo player join him tonight. "I am trying to squeeze myself out of the limelight," he said.

Mr Goddard is no stranger to the music game having been part of a reggae band and singing "ever since I can remember" but this was "by far" the biggest audience he had ever encountered. His passion for music was always encouraged and inspired by uncle, Piki Kereama, who has since passed away.

Te Papa's senior audience engagement facilitator Mere Boynton said she was blown away with the high calibre entries they received. "The winners have brought to life this year's Matariki theme. He rau tangata, he koingo aroha (the people gather and affirm love) in incredibly moving and creative ways."

- The concert starts at 7pm tonight at Te Papa, and is open to the public and free of charge.