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Kia Mau

by Aro

supported by
Jean-Noël Potin
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about

The making of this waiata and video was funded by NZ on Air and Te Māngai Paho as part of the Waiata Takitahi funding.

Our waiata "Kia Mau" is about maintaining relationships and respect with people even if we don't agree with them. It's inspired by recent events and experiences to do with the mandate of vaccinations and how it's causing division amongst friends and families. "He tapu te tangata ahakoa ko wai" is a mātātpono from the founding document, Te Aho Matua, of kura kaupapa Māori that Charles learnt while at school. It means that a person is sacred no matter who they are or where they come from - or what their opinion is. Both Emily and Charles’ Christian roots also contribute to the waiata with a scriptural reference that inspired the verse - the sun shines on everyone and the rain falls on everyone no matter who they are. It's an encouragement and an invitation to engage in conversation with others, listening to try to understand each other, eye to eye, face to face - kanohi ki te kanohi, and it doesn't mean we have to agree with each other either.

lyrics

KIA MAU

VERSE
Ka whiti te rā i runga i te katoa
Ka ua te ua i runga i te tangata
Ahakoa ko wai
Ahakoa nō hea
Ahakoa ōna whakaaro rerekē ki ōku ake


Pre CH
Pūmau ki te aroha
Ko tēnei te rongoa

CHORUS
Kia mau ki te rongo
Kia mau ki te aroha
Kia kaha ki te whakarongo
Kia mārama
He tapu te tangata
He tapu tōna mana
Kia mau ki te rongo
Ki te aroha

BRIDGE
Aroha
Aroha
Aroha
Kia mau ki te rongo
Kia mua, kia mau!

KIA MAU - A Translation

VERSE
The sun shines on everyone
The rain falls on everyone
No matter who they are
No matter where they’re from
Even though their opinions might be different to mine

Pre CH
Hold on to love
This is the solution

CHORUS
Hold on to/Lay hold of peace
Hold on to/Lay hold of love
Be careful to listen
To understand
Every person is sacred
And so is their mana
Hold on to/Lay hold of peace
And love

BRIDGE
Love
Love
Love
Hold on to/Lay hold of peace
Hold on, hold on!

credits

released May 19, 2022
Music and Lyrics by Aro
Produced & Mixed by M J Collier of Leone Music NZ
Mastered by Brandon Allshouse at Steelhouse Mastering
Bass by Māia Huia
Drums by Sio Andrews & Daniel Waterson
Choir by Tuhaka, Rice and Looker whānau members

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Aro New Zealand

Blending Emily's honey-voiced jazz with Charles' full throated percussive sound with shades of haka, Aro's storytelling performance adds up to a warmth of experience, wholly original, anchored in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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