Codi and his whānau
Ngāti Maniapoto musician Codi Wehi has released a new single which celebrates Matariki and acknowledges the connections between ngā whetū (the stars), te taiao (natural environment), and wellbeing.
Wehi has strong links to the King Country. His parents were in the Navy and moved with their work, and he lived in Te Kūiti for about five years.
His parents, and wider whānau are also from Te Kūiti.
Codi Wehi (Ngāti Maniapoto) with his daughter Te Aorere
He attended Te Kūiti Primary, and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Oparure (now Te Wharekura o Maniapoto). It was the second full immersion space that he would go to after Te Kohanga Reo o te Hau Kapua in Devonport, Auckland.
Oparure was where he embraced music and the first school where he performed kapa haka and started stringed instrument lessons.
He returns to Te Kūiti frequently to visit whānau and attend kaupapa as they pop up.
His new single – Ngā Mata o te Ariki o Tāwhirimātea – is the latest single from his forthcoming EP Toru, following the releases of Tahi and Rua.
He says he was inspired to create te reo Māori waiata for children by his daughter Te Aorere’s quick uptake of kupu Māori through song.
The new release was timed to coincide with the back-to-school season.
