APRA AMCOS NZ, Creative New Zealand and the Māori Language Commission – Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori have combined to support the development of a bilingual music industry in Aotearoa.

Under a pilot programme Pokapū, the initiative will fund support for artists to work with mātanga reo/language experts to translate existing songs from English into te reo Māori, and with pronunciation to record and perform waiata. The pilot aims to produce a further 20 reo remixes, adding to the repertoire of waiata reo Māori.

The initiative aims to enrich Aotearoa’s cultural identity and change the way New Zealanders create and consume music performed in te reo Māori. The programme will be led by APRA’s manager of Māori Music Growth & Development Hinewehi Mohi.