Brothers bring back the music

Waireka, Rowe, Tracy (mother), Harmony and Eve, Jessy Wilson-Rowe and father Kiri Te Meihana at their Hastings home after burglars stole their music. Photo / File

Waireka and Rowe Te Meihana are set to win back everything they lost.

The musical duo are playing a fundraising gig to replace equipment stolen from their home.

In October 2013, while their sister, Harmony Te Meihana, was battling cancer, the brothers were "devastated" to discover their vast collection of musical equipment had been burgled in the night.

They had been using music as "counselling" for Harmony, but their electric guitars, amps, speakers, microphones and a loop station all disappeared from the sleepout at the back of the house while they slept.

"We used that music to get through a lot - it was a really big set-back," Waireka remembers.

But the hard times are behind them.

Harmony is "doing great," cancer-free and studying human nutrition at Massey University. And the brothers are still just as musical as ever.

"Everything's starting to fall into place now."

On Sunday they are playing a gig at Clearview Estate Winery to raise money to replace the equipment that was stolen from them more than a year ago.

"It's also another chance to put ourselves out there, and get some experience, because we want to get into the music industry."

They have been performing on local radio stations, such as The Hits, in the lead-up to the gig.

He said Sunday's audience could expect contemporary songs, with covers by the likes of Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith, and even some jazz music.

"It will be a really comfortable environment, really nice music and a chance to have a good time," he said.

Mother Tracy Te Meihana said she was "extremely proud" of her boys. Sunday would be their first live gig.

"I'm really proud of the fact they're going to work for the money themselves," she said.

The gig will run from 7pm to 11.30pm.

•There will be door sales, but to book in advance, phone Tracy on: 021 0352102