Since first playing together at the Pao Pao Pao festival in 2008, Ariana Tikao and Al Fraser have performed regularly throughout Aotearoa, including performances with Stroma, NZ String Quartet, and Richard Nunns.

Nau Mai e Kā Hua was recorded over an extended perios at Al’s home studio and Wellington’s The Surgery. It contains a mix of waiata and instrumental works composed by Ariana and Al, as well as pieces by prominent composers such as Matua Hirini Melbourne (Amokura, co-written by Ariana and Hirini), and Kuini Moehau Reedy (Homai tō Poho). Amokura features archival recordings of taonga pūoro performances by Matua Hirini Melbourne that were masterfully incorporated into the recordings by Rattle’s Steve Garden.

Water in te Ao Māori signifies life and identity. Ariana and Al both grew up in Te Wai Pounamu (the South Island of New Zealand) and are now Wellington-based. Their music is inspired by ancestral kōrero and the natural world. ‘Nau Mai e Kā Hua’ is a sung karakia acknowledging atua presiding over various realms.

This release was made possible with support from the Lilburn Trust.