The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra will celebrate Matariki with one of our brightest musical stars on Thursday 23 June. Rob Ruha (Te Whanau-a-Apanui, Ngati Porou, Tainui, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Te Arawa, Nga Puhi, Rongowhakaata, Nga Ariki) will lead a night of uplifting music – haka soul – with world-famous rangatahi choir Ka Hao and the ātaahua tones of the APO.

The powerhouse of progressive Māori music and self-described “artivist”, Rob Ruha’s dynamic celebration of Te Pō (the night ) and Te Ao (daylight) will include epic waiata such as I Te Pō, and soulful grooves including Ka Mānu and Kalega. Under the baton of David Kay, the concert is at the Auckland Town Hall.

Ka Hao is the spectacular youth choir from Te Tairāwhiti who are best known for their viral TikTok superhit, 35 (12 million views worldwide and growing), written and directed by Ruha. Their first performances were in the 2019 Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival and they’ve gone on to win two Aotearoa Music Awards, Best Worship Album and the Mana Reo Award, as a part of the supergroup Mōhau.

In this extra-special, one-night-only Matariki concert presented by the APO, Ruha, Ka Hao and the APO will harness the mauri and inspire unity in us all. It will be a beautiful moment to welcome in te tau hou Māori and dance the night away ahead of the country’s first official Matariki public holiday.