Ka Hao

Ka Hao
OriginTe Tairāwhiti / Gisborne District, New Zealand
Years active2019–present
LabelsInDigiNation Music
Members
  • Jhaymeān Terekia
  • Gracie Kopua
  • Kaea Hills
  • Manaakiao Maxwell
  • Ruawhaitiri Ngatai-Mahue
Websitefacebook.com/kahaotirawaiata

Ka Hao is a New Zealand youth choir that formed in 2019. Coming from the Gisborne District, the group performs music in the Māori language. In 2020 the group won the Mana Reo Award at the 2020 Aotearoa Music Awards, as a part of the supergroup Mōhau. In 2021 the group released their debut single "35", which after gaining popularity through TikTok was one of the most successful songs performed in Māori during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2021.

Background

Ka Hao formed in Te Tairāwhiti / Gisborne District, as a project to promote and revitalise te Reo Māori.[1] The group's name refers to the proverb ka pū te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi (as the old fishing net is worn, a new one is made), referring to youth growing up and entering adulthood.[2] The approximately 24 members attended Kura Kaupapa Māori (immersion schools),[3][4] and many are Ngāti Porou, while all have strong ties to te Tairāwhiti.[1] Ka Hao first performed in October 2019 as a part of the Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival.[5][6] In January 2020, the group released a live album of gospel waiata in te Reo, as a part of the supergroup Mōhau.[6] The album won the Te Māngai Pāho Mana Reo Award and the Best Worship Artist Te Kaipuoro Kairangi Toa award at the 2020 Aotearoa Music Awards.[7]

Ka Hao released their debut single "35" in September 2021, a song that references State Highway 35.[2] The song, featuring Rob Ruha, gained popularity during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori in 2021 after the song became popular on TikTok.[8] The group released their debut album Ka Hao: One Tira, One Voice on 17 September, after being mentored by Anglican bishop Don Tamihere, musician Rob Ruha and music manager Cilla Ruha.[9] Ka Hao were later featured on one of the singles preceding singer Rob Ruha's album Preservation of Scenery.[10]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
NZ
Artist
[11]
Ka Hao: One Tira, One Voice
  • Released: 17 September 2021[9]
  • Label: InDigiNation Music
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 16

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
NZ
[12] 		NZ
Artist
[13]
"35"
(featuring Rob Ruha) 		2021 12 1 Ka Hao: One Tira, One Voice
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
Artist
Hot
[15]
"Taka Rawa"[10]
(Rob Ruha featuring Ka Hao) 		2021 7 Preservation of Scenery

Other charted songs

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
Artist
Hot
[16]
"Closer to You" 2021 11 Ka Hao: One Tira, One Voice

Guest appearances

Title Year Other artists Album
"Aue Wairua"[17] 2020 Rob Ruha Mōhau (Live Visual Album)
"Paiheretia"[17] Kaaterama
"He Māramatanga"[17] Majic Paora
"Tāria"[17] Bella Kalolo
"Amine"[17] Ria Hall
"Tama i Tukua"[17] Troy Kingi
"Rongo"[17] —
"Witi me te Waina"[17] Rob Ruha

References

  1. ^ a b Mahi Tahi Media (16 September 2021). "'35' by Kao Hao feat Rob Ruha is the TikTok anthem of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori". Re. TVNZ. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b Marshall, Jack (16 September 2021). "Elevating indigenous sound". Gisborne Herald. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  3. ^ Terekia, Taylor-Rose (9 September 2021). "A kōrero with Jhaymeān of Ka Hao: Tira Waiata! OHOOHO #1". Te Mana Ākonga. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  4. ^ Terekia, Taylor-Rose (13 September 2021). "OHOOHO:Ka Hao". Te Mana Ākonga. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  5. ^ "Ka Hao: Tira Waiata (Tikitiki)". Stuff. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  6. ^ a b "'Top Māori artists lift spirits with new visual album Mōhau". RNZ. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  7. ^ Tyson, Jessica (17 November 2020). "'The industry is just catching up' - Rob Ruha on te reo in mainstream music industry". NZ Herald. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  8. ^ Barton, Monika (23 September 2021). "'A truly wonderful feeling': Te Reo Māori music dominates NZ's official charts". Newshub. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  9. ^ a b Marshall, Jack (15 September 2021). "Choir's ode to SH35 tops Hot 20 NZ Singles". Gisborne Herald. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Rob Ruha Announces New Album 'Preservation Of Scenery'". muzic.net.nz. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  11. ^ "Official Top 20 NZ Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  12. ^ "Discography KA HAO FEAT. ROB RUHA". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  13. ^ "NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 20 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  14. ^ "New Zealand single certifications". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  15. ^ "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  16. ^ "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h "Mōhau (Live Visual Album)". iTunes. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2021.