Kia ora, I am pleased to attach David's thesis which explores the world of Maori showbands. During the 50's and 60's Maori showbands took Maori music and entertainment to the world. They were extra-ordinary entertainers and ambassadors for Maori and New Zealand. Their songs and shows brought smiles to many and their legacies for Maori music still lives on today. My own uncles Nuki Waaka (Maori Volcanics) and Gugi Waaka (Quin Tikis) performed across many countries and can share many stories of their trips, the famous people they met and the friends they made. Aunty Marge has produced a book called Maori Showbands giving an insight into the stories of the Maori Volcanics. I was lucky to be invited to Uncle Nuki's 70th birthday party in Sydney, Australia where many of the Maori showband greats attended. Their singing, humour and connectedness remains strong. More information on Maori Showbands can be found on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maori-Showbands/73911294309
Reading David's thesis will help to bring back some of those memories and offer analysis of struggle in the entertainment industry. I am honoured to have his thesis on this blog. Taima
Maori Showbands: A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Media Arts - Commercial Music
Written by David Waretini karena
Abstract:
The aim and function of this research is to ask the question Why are Maori show bands not recognised as New Zealand cultural ambassador’s who contributed to the New Zealand music industry on an international / global scale. Another objective is to investigate what was their historical significance. The last goal is to discuss some examples of what their experiences were in the music industry and how they could benefit contemporary Maori musicians. The focus of the research was based mainly on those Maori show bands who decided that going overseas to discover new opportunities for performing their unique brand of entertainment as a more viable option then staying in New Zealand. I will attempt to highlight what was significant about the Maori show bands that left New Zealand and differentiate between such entertainers as Sir Howard Morrison and the Quartet and other Maori Show bands for example the Maori Troubadours, and the Maori Hi Fives. Finally I will conclude with my deliberation as to why I feel based on my research that the Maori Show bands that left New Zealand in the 1950’s and 1960’s to perform on a world stage should be officially recognized as legitimate New Zealand ambassadors who contributed in a major way to the NZ music industry.
See full version: http://www.slideshare.net/taima/maori-showbands-david-waretinikarena-toward-masters-thesis
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