School Choir Celebrates Māori Culture With Breath-taking ‘Te Iwi E’ Performance

Months of work preceded Takapuna Grammar School’s appearance at The Big Sing, the largest yearly choral event in New Zealand. Dressed in smart school uniforms, the students waited onstage before one singer’s strong voice sounded through the venue in te reo Māori. The opening caused attendees to straighten in their seats before the rest of the choir began.

The students performed the Māori song “Te Iwi E” using both traditional movement and a traditional Māori approach to singing. Their vocal power and ability impressed listeners, while the performance was also received as a sincere tribute to the Indigenous culture of the country. One online viewer believed the choir had given the hymn the spiritual weight and respect it deserved.

Video of the appearance quickly attracted a large audience beyond those in the hall. Over a period of six months, it collected more than 1.2 million views. The response aligned with a goal published by The Big Sing’s organisers, who said the event seeks to build knowledge and appreciation of te reo Māori and waiata.

Takapuna Grammar School’s presentation provided an example of participating singers taking that objective seriously. The cultural purpose was present not only in the repertoire but also in the traditions incorporated into the staging. According to the source, the performance honoured the Māori heritage of the land on which the students live.

Watch the full performance on page two