Warm welcome for Fly My Pretties

Fly My Pretties arrived in Kaitaia yesterday to make music, but first they were greeted with a warm, and in part musical, welcome from their hosts.

Te Runanga o Te Rarawa chairman Haami Piripi told the visitors that Te Ahu was a place where te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed, and it was still a place of convergence.

"We take great pleasure and pride in welcoming you here today. We have an extreme wealth of talent here, much that has been un-realised. We look forward to you instilling confidence and pride into the young people. Your talents will inspire and excite others."

Mayor Wayne Brown hoped the visitors would become cultural ambassadors for "what we have up here. Stories come from the regions, and we are sure you will spread stories about us," he said.

Also mentioned they were "in the presence of the worst ukulele player this side of the hangi pit".

Fly My Pretties producer and band member Mike Tucker gave thanks for the "awesome" welcome.

"You guys speak of convergence, and that's what this band is all about," he said.

The band would be rehearsing for the next three days, before performing "original, inspired of this land music," at Te Ahu on Thursday night.

"We will take the fish wagging down to Invercargill," he added.

Band members Anika Moa and Ria Hall then led a waiata before Kaitaia College student Paris Nelesini (who has been chosen as the opening act for the Kaitaia concert) gave an acoustic rendition of her song. Later she rehearsed with Jarney Murphy, Mike Fabulous and Nigel Patterson (all also members of the band Black Seeds).

Pretties manager Sharina Khan said everyone was excited about starting the tour in Kaitaia.

"It's amazing, so beautiful up here. Everyone has been so supportive," she said.

"Some of the band members haven't been up here before so we will try and get out and about and check out the area, if we get the time in between rehearsing.

"We will definitely do a small video piece about Te Ahu and help promote this place to the rest of the world."