Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Music
NZ music began with the
waiata
(songs) developed by Maori following their arrival in the
country. The main musical instruments were wind instruments made of bone or wood, the
most well known of which is the
nguru
(also known as the 'nose flute'), while percussion
was provided by chest- and thigh-slapping. These days, the liveliest place to see Maori mu-
sic being performed is at
kapa haka
competitions in which groups compete with their own
routines of traditional song and dance: track down the
Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival
(
www.tematatini.co.nz
)
which happens in March in odd-numbered years at different venues
(Christchurch in 2015). In a similar vein, Auckland's Pasifika Festival (
Click here
)
repres-
ents each of the Pacific Islands. It's a great place to see both traditional and modern forms
of Polynesian music: modern hip-hop, throbbing Cook Island drums, or island-style guitar,
ukulele and slide guitar.
by Gareth Shute
The only Kiwi actors to have won an Oscar are Anna Paquin (for
The Piano
) and Russell Crowe (for
Gladiat-
or
). Paquin was born in Canada but moved to NZ when she was four, while Crowe moved from NZ to Aus-
tralia at the same age.
Classical & Opera
Early European immigrants brought their own styles of music and gave birth to local vari-
ants during the early 1900s. In the 1950s Douglas Lilburn became one of the first interna-
tionally recognised NZ classical composers. More recently the country has produced a
number of world-renowned musicians in this field, including opera singer Dame Kiri Te
Kanawa, million-selling pop diva Hayley Westenra, composer John Psathas (who created
music for the 2004 Olympic Games) and composer/percussionist Gareth Farr (who also
performs in drag under the name Lilith).
Gareth Shute wrote this music section. He is the author of four books, including
Hip Hop Music in Aotearoa
and
NZ Rock 1987-2007.
He is also a musician and has toured the UK, Europe and Australia as a member
of The Ruby Suns and The Brunettes. He now plays in indie soul group The Cosbys.
Rock
New Zealand also has a strong rock scene, its most acclaimed exports being the revered in-
die label Flying Nun and the Finn Brothers.
