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Respected Aotearoa hip hop artist Tipene releases his new single 'Māori' in time for Waitangi Day, a waiata that speaks directly to Māori navigating the challenges of identity and belonging. The track is both a reminder and a reaffirmation: “You are Māori, you will forever be Māori. You are good enough.”

“This waiata is for any Māori who may need their wairua cup filled and reminded about what it feels like to be Māori,” says Tipene. “These images are for you. You are Māori. We are amazing.”

The video for 'Māori', filmed, edited, and graded by Issac Tereina, captures the essence of te ao Māori with powerful imagery from Waitangi, Rotokakahi, and other significant cultural sites. Featuring acknowledgements to leaders, communities, and artists across Aotearoa, the visual stands as a collective expression of whakapapa, kotahitanga, and aroha.

Musically, the single blends Tipene’s trademark lyrical flow with themes of whakapapa, tikanga, and mana, while acknowledging the realities of struggle and resilience. The chorus serves as a grounding reminder:

Kia mau ki tō Māori. Never lose identity.
Taiao connects my spirit to Te Ao Māori.

Rawiri Waititi’s words -“You are good enough, because our tūpuna made it so”  - anchor the song’s kaupapa, reinforcing the generational strength and pride of being Māori.