WAI

WAI are a Porirua based family Māori electronica roots band that have being in existence for over 20 years. WAI perform 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% for the 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 being 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. 2013 joining the WAI family at age 4 playing his Cajon their son Uta Te Whanga joined WAI on his first International tour of Belgium and Copenhagen. Now 13 years young Uta Te Whanga has since toured Seattle, Jeonju, Seoul, South Korea, Yilan, Taipei, Taiwan, Charlottesville Virginia, Colorado Springs and Uta Te Whanga was very excited to be heading to the Island of Borneo, Kuching, Sarawak 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.