Fresh perspective

The Tuari brothers Tatana, Tame and Haami will bring their infectious kaupapa Māori pop style music to Tairāwhiti as part of the Whiti offering. Picture by Erica Sinclair

There’s a certain groundedness about the Tuari Brothers that’s tangible in all they touch.

They’re musicians, producers, writers, composers, artists, creatives and performers, and three of the very talented Tuari family who delighted Te Tairāwhiti last year with Whakapaupakihi, a te reo Māori musical.

The brothers — Tatana, Tame and Haami — are set to take the stage on February 11 in the Whiti offering of Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival with their infectious kaupapa Māori pop style music.

Music and storytelling have always been part of their very whānau-centric upbringing, which they use to express their cultural identity and heritage, and to share their enthusiasm and encouragement for life in general.

Mum Ange Karini is their manager. She too is a singer/songwriter and has always encouraged her children to use song as a vehicle to express themselves.

“As parents we used our strengths – mine in voice and song and their father’s haka, movement, and guitar – to pass on their understandings and experiences of who they are as descendants of Te Tairāwhiti,” she says.

Last year, under the management of their sister Ani-Piki, the Tuari Brothers won best Te Reo Māori album at the Waiata Māori Music Awards, along with best Māori songwriter and best Māori song by a Māori artist.

“To win one award is magic but to win three is dumbfounding,” says Ange.

And there is more in the pipeline including a bilingual track that has given them a whole new focus.

“It is easy to write in one language but with two you must make sure the ideas, groove and singability are true to form. It is an interesting dynamic.”

The New Zealand on Air-funded song called “Higher” has been written and is now in production. Haami also has a solo te reo track in production.

“Haami has always been a solo artist but took time out to grow his new family and to complete his teaching degree. This year will allow him to relaunch again as a solo artist.”

The brothers are also teachers and dads, so there is plenty to juggle. “The goal is for them to tour in the future but for now they are building their profile,” says Ange.

Their success has led to more opportunities, which each of the siblings is always keen to pursue.

At their Tairāwhiti Arts Festival performance, the audience will surely be entertained by tracks from their EP, “Rongo”, as well as a preview of Haami’s new single “Taku Kāenga”.

“I love the fresh perspective they bring to performance,” says Ange. “They take kaupapa Māori and reconstruct it in a way that is user-friendly for a wide range of people.”

When the whānau gathered at Christmas they sang composed songs that were specially named for each of the 10 mokopuna. The tune and genre were determined by the names each child was given at birth. It’s a practice we took for granted until we saw each of the mokopuna beaming with pride as we sung their names and those of their cousins. It was very special.”

Given the past performances of the Tuari Brothers, there’s no doubt Tairāwhiti will be in for a treat when they take the stage on Sunday, February 11.

WHAT:  The Tuari Brothers

WHEN:  February 11, 2024

WHERE:   Lawson Field Theatre

TICKETS:  www.tetairawhitiartsfestival.nz