Te Vaka

It’s 2 weeks since Opetaia and I returned from the World Premiere of “Moana Live Action” at the Hollywood Bowl and although there are those who say we didn’t need a Live Action movie of Moana just yet, it is a wonderful, positive movie that inspires, entertains and portrays the South Pacific in a way that makes everyone from the area extremely proud.

The Premiere at the Hollywood Bowl was spectacular. All the music team, all the Disney execs, all the cast and crew – anyone who had been involved with the…

I have to admit since the lockdowns and all the uncertainty in the world, the idea of touring Te Vaka like we did constantly from 1997 until 2018, almost fits into the “too hard” basket.  We do however, miss the connection with audiences and maybe one day will tour again even if it is on a smaller scale. 

Recently, five of us flew to Auckland for the Pacific Music awards held on August the 21st. 

Opetaia, Sulata, Olivia, Matatia and Douglas performed an acoustic version of some old favourites - “Pate Pate”…

So much has happened in the last couple of months I am not at all sure I will remember everything, but I will try. It was decided that the recording sessions for Moana 2 would happen in Sydney not Warner Brothers studios like last time. Just when the sessions would happen, no-one could say. With Moana 2, Moana live Action and the Disney D23 all competing for available recording time and personnel it has been a challenge for all concerned. I did know they needed more female singers so the Sydney wide search…

Yes we are still here. I know the band has not been on tour since things got crazy. It was hard enough touring a big band around the world when things were normal, it got considerably harder after September 11th and since March 2020 it became impossible for a while. Even now you can arrive at the airport to find the flight is canceled or the band could rehearse for weeks to find that the show is canceled. There is just too much uncertainty to tour a large band at the moment so we will wait for things to…

Creating is the best thing any of us do. As the manager of Te Vaka sometimes I am fortunate enough to get out of the office and be involved in the creation process. Such a time occurred a couple of weeks ago when I had to jump in and create 6 costumes for Olivia's dance film. Being a part of and experiencing a hugely talented bunch of young people create magic was a priviledge. These are the moments that make what I do in the office worthwile.

Te Vaka headquarters is buzzing with music - there is a new Te Vaka album being created as I write. It is set for release in the first half of this year and we are excited to share it with everyone. As you might expect due to the COVID situation, there are no tours planned for this year, but that does not mean you won't hear from us in more ways than one. 

As well as the album, work is intensifying on the making of the Te Vaka documentary. This project was started several years ago but there is still a…

We have received a number of emails wondering what has happened and why the band isn't on tour, so here is a little insight into some of the things that have been going on.....Here at Te Vaka headquarters there has been much creating. Olivia and Matatia have thrown their many talents into the ring and have been creating up a storm. Olivia has written a stunning album and together with Matatia's production skills and beats they have come up with a very exciting sound. The great reviews tell the story -  we…

More than 6 weeks have gone by and we are still buzzing from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra tour. Four sold out shows in Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington with their respective Orchestras of more than 60 instrumentalists in each. Performing the songs of Moana, from the heart, with an Orchestra bringing out so much emotion has really had an impact on all of us, in the best possible way.

It all started at the beginning of 2017 when we received the invitation from Kirsten Mason of Orchestra…

Now living in Australia, we don't always make it to the New Zealand Pacific Music awards and in fact we haven't attended since 2010 when Te Vaka won two awards for the 'Haoloto album' and the band performed live on the night. When Universal music nominated, Opetaia, Olivia, Vai, Sulata and Matthew for categories in this year’s awards we were not sure whether we could make it but when they were all announced as finalists, with Olivia in two categories - the "Best Pacific female artist" and "Best Pacific…

Te Vaka has been nominated for and won many awards over the last 20 years but I have always stayed behind the lines, just working by myself mostly, occasionally seeking advice from others in the industry but because Te Vaka isn't a pop or rock band I have had to figure a lot of it out as I went along. When I received the email to say I had been nominated for the MMF (Music Managers) "International achievement" award I was pleasantly surprised but didn't really give it a lot of thought. I was still busy…