Rare recordings of Rotorua singers found (+ audio)

The 1927 acoustic recording of Medley and Haka by Rotorua singer Ana Hato, her cousin Deane Waretini and other local musicians is also believed to be from the first ever sound recording of Maori singers.

A rare copy of one of the first commercial recordings made in New Zealand has been discovered in a suitcase of vintage 78rpms donated to a Wellington church fair.

The 1927 acoustic recording of Medley and Haka by Rotorua singer Ana Hato, her cousin Deane Waretini and other local musicians is also believed to be from the first ever sound recording of Maori singers.

They were among eight recordings of the group made by His Master's Voice engineers during a performance in Rotorua for the royal visit of the Duke and Duchess of York. The records were then pressed in Australia and issued on the Parlophone label.

The fragile shellac record was found, along with another rare 1930 Parlophone studio recording of Puru Taitama by Maori singers the Tahiwis, among scores of old 78s donated to the St Michael's and Kelburn Village Fair, to be held this Saturday.

Fair helper Patricia Thompson said: "The records were very dusty and clearly mice had been sharing the case with them. Most were Australian yodelling songs or classics by Gracie Fields and Bing Crosby, but these two stood out because of the Maori-themed labels.

"We thought we'd do some research on them and were delighted to find we have a slice of New Zealand musical history.

"I've played them and they sound great. The Tahiwis record is very clear. The Ana Hato one is quite crackly, probably because it wasn't a studio recording, but you can tell what a wonderful voice she had."

Listen to it here:

Puru Taitama, famed for its bawdy lyrics, was written in 1909 by Kingi Tahiwi of Otaki to impress his future wife and recorded in Australia in 1930 by The Tahiwis, made up of his musical brother and sisters. It was quickly taken up by other bands and has remained popular.

Patricia said: "We know the records aren't of great monetary value but they are of historic interest and we'd like them to go to a suitable new home. If anyone is interested come and see me at the fair or drop an email to the church office at admin@stmichaels.org.nz."