Aku Raukura Explained

Aku Raukura
Cover:PMC - Aku Raukura.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Pātea Māori Club
Album:Poi E
Recorded:April 1984
Studio:Mascot Recording Studios, Auckland.
Genre:
Length:4:00
Label:Maui Records
Producer:Dalvanius Prime
Prev Title:Poi E
Prev Year:1983
Next Title:Hei Konei Rā
Next Year:1984

"Maori: Aku Raukura|italic=no" (English: "Waving White Feathers"), also known as "Raukura", is a song by Pātea Māori Club. Originally written in sessions with Ngoi Pēwhairangi and Dalvanius Prime in Tokomaru Bay in 1982, it was released as their second single in June 1984, during the chart success of their debut hit "Poi E". The song peaked at number 10 in New Zealand, and was later included in their 1987 debut album Poi E.

Background and composition

The song was written in Tokomaru Bay in 1982, when Dalvanius Prime visited the house of lyricist Ngoi Pēwhairangi. In a single day, the pair had created "Poi E", "Aku Raukura" and "Hei Konei Rā".[1] [2] The song was written to help younger Māori alienated from their culture in a familiar medium,[3] and is a discussion of identity and a request for Urban Māori to reconnect to their roots.

It was first performed to an audience at the 1983 Polynesian Festival alongside "Poi E",[4] in Heretaunga (Hastings, New Zealand) in February. The track was recorded in April 1984 at Mascot Recording Studios, located on Queen Street, Auckland. The song features Dalvanius' brother Timothy Prime as the kaea (lead vocalist).

The song was released as a single in June 1984,[4] and debuted at number 30 on the charts.[5] However, by late July the single peaked at number 10.[5] In a 1984 episode of the variety show Hui Pacific the group performed the song alongside breakdancers.[6]

At the 1984 New Zealand Music Awards, "Aku Raukura" was nominated for Single of the Year, however lost to The Narcs' "You Took Me (Heart and Soul)".[7] However, the single won the Top Polynesian Award, and the single artwork by Joe Wylie won the Sleeve Design award.[8]

The song was performed at the Seville Expo '92 New Zealand pavilion, by a group led by George and Tangiwai Ria, and including some members of Pātea Māori Club.[9]

In popular culture

Alongside "Poi E", "Aku Raukura (Disco Mix)" appears on the soundtrack to the 2010 film Boy.[10]

Track listing

  1. "Aku Raukura"  – 4:00
  2. "Poi E" (Monster U.S. Breakdance Mix)  – 3:50
  3. "Aku Raukura Part 2"  – 3:03
  4. "Medley" (Live in Concert) "Aku Raukura" "Hei Konei Ra"  – 5:05
  1. "Aku Raukura"  – 4:00
  2. "Medley" (Live in Concert) "Aku Raukura" "Hei Konei Ra"  – 5:05
  3. "Poi E" (Monster U.S. Breakdance Mix)  – 3:50

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the Poi E album booklet.[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Murray . Cammick . Poi-E . Audio Culture Iwi Waiata . 11 November 2021 . 4 October 2002.
  2. Web site: The History . https://web.archive.org/web/20081014205406fw_/http://www.digitalus.co.nz/poi/history.html . 14 October 2008 . Patea Maori Club . 9 November 2021.
  3. Web site: Tape, Cassette . Puke Ariki . 14 November 2021.
  4. News: Bopping & breaking . May . Paratoki-Lewis . Cath . Gilmour. Tu Tangata . 18 . 24 . Papers Past . 1 June 1984 . 12 November 2021.
  5. Web site: PATEA MAORI CLUB - AKU RAUKURA (SONG) . charts.nz. Hung Medien. 14 November 2021.
  6. Web site: Hui Pacific - Episode . NZ On Screen . 13 November 2021.
  7. Web site: Awards 1984 . Listing . NZ Music Awards . 28 September 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121030144036/http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2009/10/29/1984-winners/ . 30 October 2012 .
  8. News: 1984 N.Z. MUSIC AWARDS . Rip It Up . 88 . 2 . Papers Past . 1 November 1984 . 12 November 2021.
  9. Waka Maori: Vibrant Action Song & Dance. New Zealand Expo Maori Entertainers. 1992. Cassette liner notes. Kiwi-Pacific Records. TC SLC-224.
  10. Web site: Boy - Movie Soundtrack . https://web.archive.org/web/20110903044005/http://www.amplifier.co.nz/release/58963/boy-movie-soundtrack.html . 3 September 2011 . Amplifier . 14 November 2021.
  11. Aku Raukura. Patea Maori Club. 1984. 12-inch Single liner notes. Maui Records. MAUIEP 5.
  12. Aku Raukura. Patea Maori Club. 1984. Cassette Single liner notes. Maui Records. MAUIEPC5.
  13. Aku Raukura. Patea Maori Club. 1984. 7-inch Single liner notes. Maui Records. MAUI 5.
  14. Patea Maori . MAUILP 14. . 1987 . booklet . Maui Records, WEA Records NZ.

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