WAI

WAI is a Porirua-based family Māori electronica roots band that has been in existence for over 20 years. WAI performs entirely in Te Reo Māori with the poi at the forefront, creating the rhythmic skeleton which in turn is cloaked in electronica. In 1999, they created their first album WAI 100% in memory of Mina’s pāpā, Ture Tangata. In 2010, they created their second album WAI ORA, which was inspired by the birth of their beautiful son and becoming parents. They have been very fortunate to have toured extensively throughout the United Kingdom, USA, Germany, Norway, Canada, Channel Islands, China, South Korea, Spain, France, and Australia. In 2007, whilst on tour in Taiwan, they found out they were about to become parents. In 2013, joining the WAI family at age 4 and playing his cajón, their son Uta Te Whanga joined WAI on his first international tour of Belgium and Copenhagen. Now 16 years young, Uta Te Whanga has since toured Seattle, Jeonju, Seoul, South Korea, Yilan, Taipei, Taiwan, Charlottesville Virginia, Colorado Springs, and was very excited to be heading to the Island of Borneo, Kuching, Sarawak in July 2019 to take part in the Rainforest World Music Festival. At the core of the WAI family are Mina & Maaka Phat, their son Uta Te Whanga, and if available, they invite brother Maaka Fiso to join them.