18 Jul 2018 - Te Vaka performs "Songs of Moana" live with Orchestra

 A brief trip to New Zealand this month saw 4 very rare and unsurprisingly, sold out, concerts from Te Vaka. It was a unique and powerful collaboration between Opetaia Foa'i, Te Vaka and 3 different New Zealand Orchestras (Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Wellington), resulting in the live experience: "Songs of Moana". Having many of the same voices and musicians found on the movie's soundtrack, and supported by the power of 60-something-piece orchestras, the show was an undeniable hit among adults and children alike. 

"Every single item was stirring, effective, and excellently executed, holding the attention of and entertaining all in the audience, young and old...." "...It’s fair to say that Songs of Moana was a huge success..." - Ihlara McIndo, The Wave 

"In the case of Moana, the music's sheer musicality and character carries it safely through to the other side, especially when it is performed with high spirited verve by a group which has established itself as one of today's leading musical voices of the Pacific." - Christopher Moore, The Press 

"The area in front of the stage was soon swarming with children dancing and singing their hearts out, and the rest of the audience were captivated by the band’s superb renditions of these well-known songs." - Mike Crowl, Otago Daily Times 

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21 May 2018 - Moana wins at the Billboard Awards