Te Matatini is the world’s largest celebration of Māori performing arts, held every two years. “We Belong” will be the official song for this year’s festival.
The waiata was written and recorded in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and Tāmaki Makaurau. Featuring vocals by Joel Shadbolt (L.A.B) and Pipiwharauroa and Ngawaiwera Campbell (Corrella), the song captures the unity and togetherness that Te Matatini represents.
Speaking about the project, Corrella’s Pipiwharauroa Campbell says, “This song was written as a dedication that Te Matatini belongs to everyone here in Aotearoa New Zealand and abroad, and that all are welcome.It touches on the stories we tell using kapa haka and the feeling you get from watching and being at Te Matatini, and we ask that all come and share in this.
“This song is a little bit different to other Te Matatini songs with it being predominantly in English, even though we have the utmost respect for the Māori language. This was to convey that even if you don’t speak Te Reo Māori, you still belong. We also pay homage to where Te Matatini is being held this year – under Taranaki maunga. Te kahui maunga, kahue tupua kahue wairau.”
L.A.B’s frontman Shadbolt recalled the recording process, “We went into the studio in September to work on the waiata, and working with the Corrella team was an awesome experience. We really wanted to capture the vibe and unity that Te Matatini brings to Aotearoa, and ‘We Belong’ is the result. Te Matatini is something that we as New Zealanders are incredibly proud of, and hopefully this waiata can help bring a taste of Te Matatini to people across Aotearoa and the world.”
The festival is being held in 2025 from February 25th – March 1st.
Corrella and L.A.B’s “We Belong” is out now.
