Singer rides new 'Whale Rider' wave

By STUART DYE

Hinewehi Mohi stood in Auckland's York St Studio 10 years ago recording songs for Whale Rider, the animated film - a project that was cancelled.

But yesterday the singer was back at the same studio in Parnell recording part of the soundtrack for Whale Rider - On Stage.

The show's world premiere is just a few weeks away and Mohi's recording of a new piece of music, called The Whale Rider, will be released on August 1.

"It's wonderful to be back and doing this for a project which is definitely going ahead," she said.

The singer, poet and broadcaster plays the spirit Rehua in the stage translation of Witi Ihimaera's novel and, as well as recording the title track, sings during the show.

"I was brought up reading the stories of Witi Ihimaera and loved them for their simplicity. Hopefully the stage show can have as big an impact, but in a different way, as the movie," said Mohi.

"If this can do as well abroad as the movie did then it's a really exciting development for us as a culture."

The stage version opens on August 21 at the Civic Theatre in Auckland. Ticket sales are expected to be high following the success of the movie, which had its television premiere last night.

Mohi said the recording was timely with the launch of Maori Language Week today.

Music was able to break through language barriers with its emotion and feeling, she said.

"Every week is Maori Language Week for me, but this has blossomed to become a whole movement celebrating the language and culture and making it more accessible. That can only be a good thing for all of us."