Ardon England Enters A New Era with ‘Whai Mai Rā’
Following a breakthrough year that has seen him emerge as one of Aotearoa’s most exciting new electronic pop artists, Māori queer musician Ardon England is entering a powerful new creative chapter with the release of Whai Mai Rā – his first-ever Te Reo Māori project.
Released during Matariki, Whai Mai Rā is a three-song body of work that brings together language revitalisation, queer visibility, contemporary Māori expression and high-energy electronic pop.
Supported by NZ On Air through the Waiata Takitahi Grant, the project’s lead single is a Te Reo Māori reimagining of Ardon’s upcoming track Ego – a bold electronic pop anthem centred on confidence, self-belief and unapologetically taking up space. The remaining two tracks were independently funded by Ardon, reflecting his commitment to expanding the presence of Te Reo Māori within contemporary electronic music.
Accompanying the release is a cinematic music video, premiering at a special Matariki celebration on Thursday 9 July at Hopetoun Alpha, presented in partnership with the Karangahape Business Association as part of its official Matariki programme. The event will feature the first public screening of the video alongside a live performance of all three songs from the project.
Created alongside respected Māori language expert Hēmi Kelly, Whai Mai Rā became far more than a translation exercise. Reimagining Ego in Te Reo Māori uncovered new layers of meaning, transforming the song into something more deeply connected to whakapapa while retaining its bold energy and contemporary pop appeal.
While much of the recent resurgence of Te Reo Māori music has drawn from traditional, acoustic and roots genres, Whai Mai Rā takes a different path. Built around polished electronic production and festival-ready pop, it places Te Reo Māori in a sonic landscape more commonly associated with global dance music.
It’s music made for dancefloors, festivals, Pride celebrations and international audiences, challenging perceptions of where indigenous language belongs while demonstrating its natural place within contemporary pop culture.
The release arrives at a defining moment in Ardon’s career.
Following the success of his debut EP That’s Camp, his latest project I’m That Bitch debuted at #4 on the Official Aotearoa Albums Chart and #2 on the Independent Artist Chart, while Real Talk (Tali Remix) reached #3 on the Hot Aotearoa Singles Chart. Most recently, his collaboration with Missb, Down To Chaos, climbed to #2 on the Hot Aotearoa Singles Chart, continuing his rapid rise.
Beyond the charts, Ardon also became one of the breakout talking points of the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards. His bold red-carpet appearance and “Protect The Dolls” statement sparked widespread conversation online and throughout the industry, reinforcing his reputation as an artist unafraid to combine music, fashion and advocacy.
Known for transforming venues into immersive club-theatre experiences through dancers, striking visuals and fearless performance, Ardon is helping redefine the intersection of Māori identity, queer culture and contemporary pop music. He says:
“I’m proud to share Te Reo Māori through the music I make. I want people hearing our language in places they don’t expect – on festival stages, in clubs, on radio and around the world.”
Released during Matariki – a time of remembrance, renewal and aspiration – Whai Mai Rā honours the past while looking confidently to the future, marking the beginning of Ardon England’s long-term commitment to weaving Te Reo Māori throughout his music.
