To celebrate the inaugural Māori Music Month, Kāi Tahu singer Ariana Tikao is releasing her new single Whakatuwheratia (“Open up”).
“Whakatuwheratia has an uplifting theme, and calls upon us all to give ourselves the permission to be inspired, and to not hold ourselves back.” says Ariana.
“We have loads of examples in our history of tīpuna who ‘stepped up’ to make a difference, and the message in this waiata is to be open to allow ourselves to do the same. I believe this is already happening within Māoridom, ordinary people doing some stunning work."
“Whakatuwheratia” was recorded and produced by Trinity Roots musician Ben Lemi Wood, who also provides backing vocals.
Earlier this year Ariana was a featured singer in John Psathas’s international masterpiece No Man’s Land, alongside World Music luminaries Meeta Pandit and Serj Tankian.
She has just signed with music publisher Songbroker and will be performing at the Christchurch Art Gallery this month, in honour of fellow Kāi Tahu artist Fiona Pardington.
“Whakatuwheratia” is now available for purchase at Bandcamp.
For more information go to www.arianatikao.com
Lyrics and translation of “Whakatuwheratia”:
Whiti ora ki te whaiao
Ki te ao mārama e
Tīhei mauri ora
Tīhei mauri ora e
Tēnei te wā
Kua whakawātea
Tēnei te wā
Kua whakawātea
Huakina
Tō hinekaro
Huakina
Te kūaha a roto
Whakatuwheratia, whakatuwheratia
Tēnei te wā
Kia whakatinanahia
Tēnei te wā
Kia whakatinanahia
Te whakaaro
Kia mīharo
Kia whakarewa
Kia whakahihiko
Whakatuwheratia, whakatuwheratia
Whiti ora ki te whaiao
Ki te ao mārama e
Tīhei mauri ora
Tīhei mauri ora e
Written by Ariana Tikao ©2015
Shine forth into the light, into the world of light/understanding
The sneeze of life
The initiation of the life force which lives on
This is the time
The way has been cleared
Open your mind
Open the door inside your mind
Whakatuwheratia/open/open up
This is the time to make real
What has already been thought
To amaze, to elevate
To inspire
Listen to 'Whakatuwheratia' here: