MATARIKI HE KĀHUI REO

Specially commissioned for WCG2024, Matariki He Kāhui Reo is a ten-movement cantata, composed to the texts of three Māori writers by a group of this country’s finest choral composers, for performance by some of its most outstanding choirs.

Each movement is based on one of the nine whetū of the Matariki star cluster as identified by Māori star lore expert Dr Rangi Mātāmua, with the guiding star, Matariki herself, taking the two framing movements. Prominent composers David Hamilton, Anthony Ritchie, Chris Artley, Rosa Elliott, and Reuben Rameka shared the writing, clothing the kupu of Tuirina Wehi, Ataahua Papa and Rangi Mātāmua in new and highly evocative choral music.

Developed by WCG2024 Artistic & Games Director John Rosser, Robert Wiremu and Ataahua Papa, Matariki He Kāhui Reo premiered on 15 July 2024 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. It was sung entirely in te reo Māori by seven of Aotearoa’s leading vocal groups – Auckland Chamber Choir, Choralation, Fortissimo, The Graduate Choir New Zealand, New Zealand Youth Choir, Viva Voce and Voices New Zealand – and a specially formed quartet. Between the movements, Tuirina Wehi, embodying Matariki, called to each of her star children in a captivating range of waiata, mōteatea and haka styles, while a narrative written by Scotty Cotter was delivered by Piripi Taylor with English-language surtitles provided on screen.

Matariki He Kāhui Reo was a momentous work in the choral history of Aotearoa and we greatly appreciate the vision of the New Zealand Choral Federation, Creative New Zealand and the Chisholm Whitney Charitable Trust in supporting the kaupapa.