We now have the original Te Vaka T -shirt back in stock.

What an incredible journey it has been - the writing, recording, mixing and
mastering of this album has at times stretched us all. No matter the obstacles we were all determined that this Te Vaka album would be special. The decision to record a live album, made by first time producer Manase Foai, contributed greatly to making this album something that we are all extremely proud of. Recording in the best facilities available to us has definitely enhanced the richness and quality of the songs. We are relieved that the job is finally done and couldn't be more happy with the outcome. The album has 13 tracks, including 3 percussion/log drums tracks, it is the classic Te Vaka sound and more.
Listen to it here.

Pre-order your copy now and receive a download while you await your autographed, high sound-quality CD, complete with lyrics, translations & beautiful graphics.

Autographed CD & download available for a limited time only! Buy your copy Now

1st to 11th of August - Mixing at Roundhead Studios in Auckland

Roundhead is Neil Finn's(Crowed House), state of the Art Recording studio in Newton Rd, Auckland. The Neve mixing desk above, used to mix "Havili", is an exceptionally good desk originally custom made for "The Who" and later recording Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and many more musical legends. We spent 10, 12 - 14 hour days at Roundhead but the outcome is everything we could have hoped for.

10th of July - Te Vaka recording at Studios 301 in Sydney

Studios 301 has the reputation of being the foremost recording studio in Australia and boasts many famous acts including lady Gaga, Kanye West, Chris Brown, Black eyed peas and more. The studio is spacious and suits the recording of the log drums which will again be a feature on Te Vaka's 7th album.

The band has been doing 12 hour days in the studio with Neil Baldock as engineer and will fly to New Zealand when the album has been recorded to mix in Neil Finn's (Crowed house), Roundhead Studios with Neil Baldock. Mixing complete it will be back to Sydney and Studios 301 for the mastering. With the new album set for release at the end of August and the USA tour starting in September it is very exciting times.

Olivia having fun at 301

TUTUKI CDS back in stock

This is a message to all of those who have lost family, friends and loved ones in Christchurch to let you know that there are people all around the world who havent forgotten what is going on there and what you are all going through. There are some wonderful people here in Australia who have put a benefit concert together to raise funds for Christchurch. Everyone is pitching in - venues, sound companies, performers. There will be a full nights entertainment including Kristina Olsen from the USA, the Wollongong local Maori cultural group Nga Hau E Wha, Te Vaka and many more. There is a great spirit and everyone wants to help. If you are able to come we would love to see you there. If you have friends or family in and around Sydney please let them know it is on so they can support if they wish to.

DATE: 17th March 2011

VENUE: The Fraternity Club, 11 Bourke St, Fairy Meadow, Wollongong

TIME: 7.00PM start (Te Vaka on at 8.00pm)

ENTRY DONATION: $50.00 at the door

DOORS OPEN ; 6.15pm

ONE CONCERT ONLY IN SYDNEY - DONT MISS IT!

Opetaia is currently writing Te Vaka album number 7. He is well into it and at this stage on schedule for a May release.

TE VAKA TO PERFORM IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

TOURING NEWS
Te Vaka has just completed a very successful 6 week tour of North America. The band had a ball and so did the audiences in Canada and across the USA. The 2010 tour took the group to Mission, Vancouver Island, Canmore, Edmonton, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Sacramento, Seattle, Arizona, Denver, Orange County, San Diego and Long Beach and included such prestigious venues as “The Great American Music Hall” in San Francisco and the Edmonton Folk Festival in Canada.

This is what Terry Wickham , Producer of Edmonton Folk Music Festival said about Te Vaka after their main stage performance in Edmonton ...... “What caught me by surprise was how excited the other musicians were by Te Vaka. I have found this to be an even better gauge of a band’s success and credentials.”……..
Here is a review of the Te Vaka show at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz……

OMG! U hav GOT 2 C Te Vaka!
August 13, 2010 by Renee Rothman
If you love great dance music, if you thrill to the sound of live drums, and if the Polynesian rhythms drive you to your feet, then you have got to find the next concert by Te Vaka. The 10 or so Polynesian singers and dancers (I lost count) simply blew me away last night at the Catalyst in downtown Santa Cruz. I’ll try to write a descriptive review but all I can really say is that they were awesome. Jaw-dropping, how-did-I-get-so-lucky awesome.
Te Vaka is a Polynesian performing group of musicians and dancers from New Zealand, with ancestry from several Pacific Islands including Samoa and two very small islands called Tuvalu and Tokelau. They are lead by singer-songwriter Opetaia Foa’i, who writes songs in his indigenous language, Tokelauan. He writes upbeat songs about important things: home, family, the islands and the oceans. And while the style is contemporary rock, its heart comes from the rhythms of islands life.
Their pure, open-throated vocals made me wish I could sing—it must feel divine to sing like that. In addition to full-band (guitars, drums, singing) they performed a number of percussion-only compositions that were as complex and exciting as any I have heard (right up there with taiko—indeed, I am certain one of them practiced taiko). The sound/spirit of those drums reached out and grabbed me by the solar plexus. And through it all, they danced. Three dancers, two women and one man. This style of Polynesian dance is irresistible. The women’s dances are very feminine, the men’s dances very masculine. Both are infused with power, grace, and shear, unadulterated joy. The women were gorgeous, with hand and finger movements as supple as sea grass and hips that circle at breakneck speeds. And they perform these charming little gestures, like a small flick of the head that seems to say “ain’t I cute and I’m so glad you are here watching.” The primary male dancer danced with a wide stance, big leg kicks, powerful arm and hand gestures, like that flicking, twisting fist that I can’t get enough of. (Yes, I’m in love again, this time with Pacific Island dance!) In addition, local Polynesian dance troupe Te Hau Nui ,performed two choreographies with the band including Pate Pate (pate is a log drum), Te Vaka’s signature piece.
Despite the driving spirit of Te Vaka’s music, they had a hard time convincing anyone to get up and dance. “Its been a long time since I played for a sitting audience,” Opetaia said hoping to embarrass us out of our seats. After the intermission, people did loosen up and dance. That’s when the native islanders came out to play. I was passed by three men who emerged from behind a bar, each of them the size of a Volkswagon, Samoan style. They danced a modest men’s dance, but it was the sharp, whooping vocalizations that sent a thrill through me.
Oh well, no words are ever going to express what I experienced. No CD or DVD is ever going to capture what Te Vaka has to offer. They play again tonight in San Francisco and then a half a dozen other west coast spots. I may become a groupie. Or move to New Zealand. I wonder if there are any jobs there…?

2010 S³ Pacific Music Awards Finalists Announced!
Te Vaka nabs four final spots

Wednesday 21st April 2010

The finalists for the 2010 S³ Pacific Music Awards have been announced with Pacific legends Te Vaka named in four categories.

Te Vaka is a finalist for its sixth album "Haoloto" in the Radio 531 PI Best Pacific Group and the S³ Best Pacific Music Album categories. "Haoloto" has also earned Te Vaka a finalist position in the Recognition and Promotion of Pacific Language category, new this year.

Te Vaka’s fourth finalist spot is in the APRA Best Pacific Song category for the single "Te Mavaega". Te Vaka’s combination of musicians and dancers from Tokelau, Tuvalu, Samoa, Cook Islands and New Zealand presents a rich, luscious mix of Polynesia’s ancient culture to the modern world. Read more......Pacific music awards

TE VAKA BAND MEMBER TAKES TO THE RING AND WINS!!!!

Manase (Nase), Te Vaka drummer takes on Indy from Estonia in a full Muay Thai rules, heavy weight 5 x 2 min rounds at the Domination 4 event at Curtin Stadium Perth on the 13th of March