First Prize
‘Whakatō te Kākano’
‘Whakatō Te Kākano’ performed by Tatana and Tame Tuari, Raniera Samuels and Kawai Joe of Gisborne took out first prize. Composed by Kawai Joe, Ranihera Samuels and Te Irirangi Maxwell, the song expresses the writers’ love and passion for Māori language, culture, and the rich history of their whakapapa and tīpuna. Watch the Te Karere interview with the bros here.
Second Prize
‘Moving Forward’
Te Rina Flavell-Kahle and Fairy-Allen Rikihana from Whangaroa College in Kaeo took out the second prize for ‘Moving Forward’.
Third Prize
‘Bring Mana to Your Name’
Pianika Duncan from Hamilton’s song ‘Bring Mana to Your Name’ won third prize. Pianika’s waiata also received the most votes from members of the public. She released a remade version of her song online in September 2017.
‘Bring Change’
Nikora Maxwell-Mariu from Dunedin shared third prize for his song ‘Bring Change’.
Highly Commended
‘No Fussing or Fighting’
‘No Fussing or Fighting’ was Highly Commended by the judges. It was performed by Bailey Cowan, Daena Robb and whānau from the Hutt Valley.
‘It’s OK’
‘It’s Ok’ by Vanessa Saulo from Auckland was also Highly Commended by the judges.
