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With the end of many regional haka comps, I've dedicated this cast to all things haka. I haven't got any audio from the recent regional competitions, but don't fret they are coming, to keep you hook till then here are some waiata from three groups who performed in the 2002 Haka Nationals in Tamaki-makau-rau or Auckland. The groups are Waka Huia, Whangara-mai-tawhiti and Waihirere, as always great sound, great songs!!

Leave your comments if you have any whakaaro (thoughts/ideas), and stay tuned for more haka, if this is your first time listening to haka then this is a great place to start, no reira, whakarongo mai!!!

Avatar Out!

Here's the next avatarcast, this episode has some of my favourite songs by Maori artists. Some songs are completely in the Maori language, some are in English and well the rest are bilingual. And of course there ain't nothin wrong with being bilingual or multi-lingual for that matter, ask any indigenous person the best way to learn about culture is to learn the lingo!!

Some of these songs have great messages regarding the preservation of indigenous language, the preservation or indigenous land rights and the preservation of indigenus youth! One of my favourite songs is "Te Whenua" sung by Adam Whauwhau, it's all in Maori but he talks about how the land is a gift from our ancestors and that we should treasure it as the land is not only our legacy but also the legacy of future generations, so we MUST protect the land:

"I haere whenua atu, me hoki whenua mai. As land was taken so should land be returned." King Te Rata, 4th Maori King!

Episode 2 – Nga waiata maori

1. Te Toiora – Whirimako Black
2. Whakahokia mai – Iwi
3. Poi e – Patea Maori Club
4. Te aho matua – Adam Whauwhau
5. He Ripo –
6. Kia tupato – Iwi
7. Te Whenua – Adam Whauwhau
8. E Ipo – Prince Tui Teka
9. Taku reo rangatira – Whirimako Black
10. Taku taumata – Adam Whauwhau
11. E nga rangatahi – Iwi
12. Ka tuku whakamoemiti – Adam Whauwhau

Just imagine yourself either out on the beach, or on the deck chilly bin next to you full of that good stuff on ice. Then you turn up your iPod, to chill to some kick back soundz! Hope you enjoy come back next week for more episodes, I will try and get the episode loaded before I cruiz overseas to Hawai'i.

Have fun listening to these sounds, the themes for each episodes are random, and are created depending on what music I feel like listening to, so I hope you like it, tell all your friends to download these sounds. Some of the music are from NZ bands as well as mainstream, so check them out.