Story: Waiata hōu – contemporary Māori songs

Alfred Hill and 'Waiata poi' (1st of 2)

In this picture, Alfred Hill, looking a little like a fish out of water, collects Māori material. Hill, a composer and conductor, drew on Māori music and put his own spin on it. His popular song 'Waiata poi' was adopted by a number of Māori concert parties. Here it is sung by Te Arawa soprano Ana Hato, in a 1927 recording.

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State Library of New South Wales, Mitchell Library
Reference: PXE 1402 / Box 2 / item 51

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Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision – Radio New Zealand collection. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Ngā Taonga Sound and VisionSound file from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero (Ana Hato sings (tk1)/Reference number ID25721)

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How to cite this page:

Piri Sciascia and Paul Meredith, 'Waiata hōu – contemporary Māori songs - Origins of contemporary waiata', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/music/44796/alfred-hill-and-waiata-poi (accessed 28 March 2024)

Story by Piri Sciascia and Paul Meredith, published 22 Oct 2014