Modern Māori Quartet

The award-winning Modern Māori Quartet are a good looking, suave contemporary Māori showband in the vein of forebears such as the Hi-Marks, Māori Volcanics Showband, Dalvanius and the Fascinations, Māori Troubadours, Māori Hi Five, Quin Tikis and The Howard Morrison Quartet.

Their debut album That’s Us! was released in 2017. The album highlights their voices in epic harmony as they share Māori traditions and tell New Zealand stories through original waiata with humour, charm and class. Growing up performing in garage parties, this is a story of rags to flash rags.

That’s Us! features all original waiata, as showband member Matariki Whatarau explains, “We’ve been singing covers for years and you know, we thought… why not?! The spirit of this album comes from the Māori garage party, reminiscent of the parties of years gone by when someone would pick up a guitar and the music would flow. We strongly believe that real stories told with truth and conviction should be at the forefront of who we are – and that’s exactly what we set out to do with the creation of our first album”.

The showband’s first ever original single, Shine – taken from That’s Us! – was released Friday 26th May 2017. It was their first voice in the world and is a song that celebrates children. It is a father’s message to his child, encouraging her to dream big and pursue any path her heart desires. This song is for “all the kids in the world” and reminds them that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to, so long as they have the support and love of their parents and wider family.

Their live shows are a classy celebration of Kiwi music honouring the legends of Māori showbands that will warm your heart and make you cry with laughter.

“There can be no doubt that this quartet deserves the reputation that they are gaining internationally … they represent the best of the mighty showband tradition.” – Stuff