Pōneke-based artist Nikau Te Huki, better known as Casual Healing, has dropped his latest single “Moving Together”, a track that doubles as both a love song and a lesson in endurance.
For more than a decade, Nikau has been crafting music rooted in intimacy, connection, and emotional intelligence. His solo debut, 2024’s Driftwood, quickly positioned him as one of Aotearoa’s most captivating new voices, leading to sold-out tours and sets at SXSW Sydney, Rhythm & Vines, and TSB Festival of Lights. It was also named by this publication as one of the “80 Best New Zealand Albums of the 2020s So Far“.
This year, Casual Healing is charting an even more ambitious course: a series of four EPs inspired by Te Taiao, or the natural world. Each project represents one of the four elements: AHI (fire), HAU (wind), WAI (water), and ONE (earth). The first two installments, released earlier this year, were praised for their originality and raw honesty. They included “Hypersensitive”, featuring Te Huki and Maori musician, MĀ, which was from the AHI (fire) project. The cycle continues later this month with WAI (September 26th) and will conclude with ONE on December 12th.
“Moving Together”, the debut single from WAI, draws inspiration from Nikau’s long-term partnership with his best friend and co-parent. Sonically, the track blends Neo-Soul and R&B, layering earthy nylon-string guitar with smooth vocals that speak to commitment beyond the honeymoon phase.
“After 8 years and two children, I can honestly say we’ve seen the best and worst in each other — but we chose to stay and grow together,” Nikau says. “That’s true love; that’s what this song is about.”
It’s a sentiment that captures the core of Casual Healing’s ethos: music as a meeting place, where differences dissolve and shared humanity comes into focus.
“Moving Together” by Casual Healing is out now via DRM.
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