Inspiring local artist debut album - Kāwai
Talented local award-winning artist Aja Wairere Ropata (of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Raukawa, Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Porou) has a long and rewarding live career both as part of the group Aio and as a solo artist Aja. She has just finished the Summer Tour in January 2025 with LAB, Stan Walker, Corella, and Aradhana in New Plymouth, Taupō, and Whangarei.
Aja feels incredibly lucky to have an incredible support network, her whānau, her partner, and the community. Aja reflects that teaching te reo Māori and working with iwi feeds directly into the music. The language, the knowledge, the community – it’s all intertwined. As an artist, I see my music as a vehicle for the stories and knowledge of the people. Music is a way to honour the past and shine into the future – our language, tradition, our ancestral wisdom. Music is powerful. The messages in songs aren’t just for now, they’re forever.
Aja’s debut album Kāwai was released on the 29th of November 2024. Aja spent seven years carefully crafting the record. The album is a heartfelt journey through whakapapa, resilience, and motherhood, blending Indigenous soul with bilingual storytelling. Produced with Mara TK, the album is deeply rooted in whānau and Aotearoa.
Aja explains “Kāwai is a piece of my heart. It was crafted through the wild, beautiful balance of motherhood and music-making. It’s a mix of soul-rhythm and personal stories. Made with whānau close by, it’s a whole lot of love. Every note, every lyric is a reflection of whakapapa, journey, & finding strength in the little moments”.
Aja started recording Kāwai while living in Ōtautahi, balancing life with two pēpi who were born 11 months apart. When it came time to record, She flew back to Wellington to work with the band in two separate sessions over two weekends.
“The process was long, but it felt perfectly timed. Balancing whānau life and work with composing music wasn’t easy, but I think it’s shaped the album. I also released singles along the way – each one a little piece of the whole, giving people a glimpse into the full project as it evolved.
One of the singles on the album “Te Reo ki Whakarongotai” is a true piece of my whānau’s history. The song was written over 20 years ago with guidance from my uncle and his wife (Kahu O Te Rangi and Natashia Ropata), capturing a pivotal moment for our Marae in 1985. It speaks to the courage and transformation within our community – a reflection of the resilience and aroha that binds us together.
This waiata is a celebration of the revival and preservation of mātauranga, te reo Māori, tikanga, and our traditions. It beautifully honours the taonga of language and the deep connections it fosters.
The lyrics of “Te Reo ki Whakarongotai” honour the treasures of our language and culture – Ngāti Toa and Taranaki—revived and handed down through generations. They acknowledge the wānanga upheld by our kuia and koroua, preserving and sharing this knowledge. Kāwai is a reflection of who I am, who I love, what I have respect for, and what I value”.
Click here to purchase the digital album Kāwai
By purchasing a digital album, the sale price goes directly to the artist to tautoko further marketing, promotion, and mahi.
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