HONE Hurihanganui is well known as the chief executive of Rangitaane O Wairarapa but it only takes a small scratch under the surface to find plenty more of this Masterton man's talents.
In addition to his role at Rangitaane, Mr Hurihanganui is a prolific composer with many tunes to his name.
It was one of his compositions that Wairarapa College choir Cantate took to Palmerston North recently to win the Big Sing award for Best Performance of a New Zealand Work.
The composition, entitled Kokorihimako, was one of several pieces gifted to Cantate during a practical placement he undertook in 1999 while he was completing his graduate diploma of teacher education (secondary).
"Kokorikimako is a type of bird renowned for its beautiful singing voice. Within the song, this also refers to working together to achieve greater success," said Mr Hurihanganui, whose music is written, in the most part, with Maori lyrics.
"I am always writing my own stuff, mostly in Maori. I really enjoy listening to people sing in the Maori language."
Mr Hurihanganui has a string of musical successes under his belt.
Together with a large group of New Zealand musicians, including Don McGlashan and Goldenhorse, Mr Hurihanganui was invited to be part of a collection of contemporary musicians to compose music to accompany poems by New Zealand poet Hone Tuwhare.
The final works also went on to become part of the New Zealand International Arts Festival in Wellington earlier this year, with three sell-out performances.
Mr Hurihanganui has a strong association with the music and the performing arts world. Over a 10-year period he became co-ordinator of Maori development with the Wairarapa Community Polytechnic and through this role he became closely associated with organisations such as the New Zealand Drama School, Takirua Productions and Downstage Theatre.
He has been commissioned to compose music for playwrights such as Hone Kouka, who wrote a trilogy performed as far away as England and Hawaii, and Riwia Brown, best known for her screenplay of Once Were Warriors.
Mr Hurihanganui doesn't claim to be a traditional musician. He still struggles to read music himself but this doesn't stop him from getting his own inspiration through to other people.
"Most of the time I sit down with an instrument and think about what I want to do. I just plug away.
"To me, writing music for the Maori language is a celebration of music and culture. It's a big buzz."
Chief executive hits high note as musical composer
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