Kōkako Releases Te Tiriti o Waitangi Protest Song
Challenging times call for challenging music. The debut single, Dishonourable Conduct by Kōkako, peels back layers of racist colonisation to expose the raw nerve throbbing in Aotearoa/ New Zealand today.
This contemporary folk song reminds us of our often forgotten history. While this work is a product of Kiwi artists, it is a global story of how “Great” nations are built and their barbaric histories sanitised and glorified.
Dishonourable Conduct is a heartbreaking dark satire that clearly frames the British colonisation of Aotearoa/New Zealand as treacherous and brutal. Kōkako’s haunting vocals confront present day political threats to te Tiriti o Waitangi and the self-determination of Māori. The accompanying video draws from historical images to tell the story in a captivating pythonesque style.
Kokako’s motivation for writing this song came during 2023.
“During the year leading up to our recent national election, the area in which I live was peppered with dozens of fascist/racist billboards along the roadsides. Leaving my home meant being subject to this bombardment.
“Our nation’s largest cultural festival for Māori children was celebrated here. It was the first time in many years they had come together. Busloads of our brightest and most talented indigenous children, our leaders of tomorrow, ran this gauntlet of hatred on the way to and from their festival. It was heartbreaking.
“Aotearoa/New Zealand’s new right wing coalition government has begun enacting a programme of dangerous anti-Māori policies. These policies were brought to the table by a small coalition partner that had secured only 8.6% of our nation’s vote. Nonetheless, a systematic eradication of Māori culture from public discourse, dismantling of Māori organisations, and rewriting of our history has begun.
“Our Treaty belongs to all of us. I’m calling on the vast majority of my fellow citizens who did not vote for these policies to stand up to our government. We must demand an end to this toxic wave of socio-cultural violence. “
