The 24-year-old University of Otago dental student realised that many of the original waiata they were singing at Te Rōpū Māori (the Māori Students’ Association) gatherings and house parties, were written by Māori students at the university, and they deserved to have their own spotlight.
So he decided to collate the waiata and record them for an EP, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Te Rōpū Māori (TRM).
While it may seem completely out of left field for a fourth-year dental student to be producing an EP, it all makes sense when Mr Hotu reveals he has affiliations to Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Maniapoto, and he previously won a music scholarship to spend a year at the Six60 house, in Castle St, studying music production.
Te Rōpū Māori 30th Anniversary EP features a collection of six waiata, performed by TRM students and alumni.
They were produced by Mr Hotu and his uncle, award-winning Māori music producer Maaka ‘Phat’ McGregor, and recorded by Stephen Stedman at the university’s School of Performing Arts recording studio.
Mr Hotu said the waiata told stories that related to tauira Māori, about seizing the day, striving for excellence, letting loved ones go, staying grounded in Māori identity, and showcasing the ‘after-hours’ culture of student life at Otago.
"I thought it would be awesome to record them so the music and the messages wouldn’t be lost, and so they could inspire future generations.
"The EP is also a tribute to all the people who have supported us on our journey at the University of Otago, so it’s great to be able to release the EP in conjunction with the 30th Anniversary of Te Rōpū Māori."
"I’m so proud of my fellow students, their beautiful singing and harmonies, and the energy, emotion and feelings they put into their performances.
"Above all, I feel like it’s all been worth it and we’re making a difference for those who will come after us."
He said a music video had been created for track 2 — Te Ata o Tūmāhina, composed by Kiti Te Maire Brennan and Thomas-Aerepo Morgan — to help promote the EP’s release today.
The music video can be viewed on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
He hoped hearing the waiata on the radio would give alumni "flashbacks" of their hectic, yet nostalgic uni days.
"I would love to have the opportunity to do other projects like this before my time ends at Otago, but if not, I’m hopeful that future Te Rōpū Māori students will continue what we have started here, in years to come.
"Beyond that, I hope that in 50 years from now, we can look back and see that what we did here was the start of something bigger — the first in a series of TRM waiata to be produced, or that one song inspired our mokopuna to strive for excellence and become the first teacher, lawyer, dentist, or doctor in their whānau."
The EP will be launched online today at the University of Otago Auahi Ora events venue, and will be available on all major digital platforms.
