The initiative was created by the Co-Design and Innovation Lab at the Tauranga City Council to connect and engage council staff through participation in group singing, however, it has spread to the wider community.
The group has been running since May this year and council staff, local business employees and members of the public were involved on a weekly basis.
Up to 40 people can be seen down at the tidal stairs belting out traditional waiata Māori [Māori songs] - and the occasional dance move.
"It encourages people to do something different while building an awareness and appreciation for tangata whenua and Māori culture," Hema said.
Hema, who is a rapid innovator at the lab, said Tauranga was a multicultural city and he enjoyed sharing his knowledge with a range of people.
"It's all about helping to educate people on their understanding of our history, culture is to share."
In September, waiata Māori booklets were created which allowed participants to learn multiple songs with English translations and also understand the songs' importance to various iwi, hapu and whanau.
The father-of-three said his two youngest children, aged 10 and 8, attended kura kaupapa Māori, Māori-language immersion schools, in Rotorua and his eldest son attended Rotorua Boys' High School.
Hema said sharing his knowledge with the community was important so anyone could be involved.
"I believe the language is yours just as much as it is mine."
Sam Hema leads the Waiata Wednesday group down at the Tidal Stairs every week. Photo/ John Borren
Tamsin Oliver, MyCouncil lead at the Co-Design and Innovation Lab, said Wednesdays were her favourite day of the week thanks to Waiata Wednesdays.
She has been attending the group for five months and said the fun and inclusive environment was why the group kept growing.
"Sam has this wonderful way of making everyone feel accepted and welcome, he is so generous with his time and energy and really puts a lot into doing this every week."
Oliver said Hema not only taught the group new songs but he also took the time to help with pronunciation and explaining the meaning behind each song and where it came from.
Tears were brought to Oliver's eyes one rainy Wednesday when a group of school kids came out of the library and began singing with the group.
"It was an incredibly moving experience."
Waiata Wednesdays
What: A community group that sings Waiata Māori each week When: Every Wednesday from 12.30pm Where: At the Tidal Stairs Why: To promote engagement of council staff and to connect the wider community with Māori culture
