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Te Hononga Moemoea is the first step in establishing a Trans-Tasman music exchange between the indigenous Maori music community of New Zealand and the indigenous music community of Australia.

Toi Maori Aotearoa is pleased to announce in conjunction with Songlines Aboriginal Music Corporation, the visit of the Melbourne based SKIN Choir to New Zealand for a five day programme of cultural and musical exchange.

The SKIN choir is made up of Victorian indigenous artists who compose and perform songs based around cultural identity, mainstream stereotyping, urban living as well as a range of other topics that relate to Indigenous Australians with mixed heritage.

The purpose of the choir is to inform audiences of what it means to be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, which is not only determined by the colour of skin but also by family kinships, community connections and culture.

The SKIN Choir will perform during Wellington Te Ra O Waitangi | Waitangi Day celebrations* on Wednesday 06 February Odlins Plaza, Wellington Waterfront. Te Papa Tongarewa* on Thursday 7 February from 12pm-1pm Level 4, Te Marae.

The SKIN Choir will visit local Kura Kaupapa and schools within the Wellington region. The visit will climax in a performance with Maori musicians at the Toi Maori Exhibition “Aho Whenua – Threads sown from Earth” on Saturday 9 February from 2pm at Pataka Art + Museum in Porirua*.

Chairperson of Puatatangi (the Toi Maori Aotearoa Music Committee) Ngahiwi Apanui says “Te Hononga Moemoea is about hosting our manuhiri (visitors) in accordance with our customs and actively sharing who we are through our music. This is the start of an enduring relationship based on indigeneity which will be enriched over many years to come”.

* These events are free and open to the general public.