Kia Mau by Aro

The making of this waiata and video was funded by NZ on Air and Te Māngai Paho as part of the Waiata Takitahi funding.

Our waiata "Kia Mau" is about maintaining relationships and respect with people even if we don't agree with them. It's inspired by recent events and experiences to do with the mandate of vaccinations and how it's causing division amongst friends and families. "He tapu te tangata ahakoa ko wai" is a mātātpono from the founding document, Te Aho Matua, of kura kaupapa Māori that Charles learnt while at school. It means that a person is sacred no matter who they are or where they come from - or what their opinion is. Both Emily and Charles’ Christian roots also contribute to the waiata with a scriptural reference that inspired the verse - the sun shines on everyone and the rain falls on everyone no matter who they are. It's an encouragement and an invitation to engage in conversation with others, listening to try to understand each other, eye to eye, face to face - kanohi ki te kanohi, and it doesn't mean we have to agree with each other either.

Aro is a Te Tiriti-based music duo made up of Charles (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Te Ata, Ngāti Mutunga) and Emily Looker. Known for the uniquely rich way their voices weave and sit together in harmony, Aro blend reo Māori with RnB, soul, and folk to craft music that honours the beauty and depth of te ao Māori, while celebrating their shared love of storytelling, language, and whānau.

aromusic.co.nz