Play It Strange Announces Winners of 2025 Waiata Māori Songwriting Competition

Play It Strange has announced the winners of the 2025 Waiata Māori Songwriting Competition for high school students in Years 9–13. This year’s competition received entries from across Aotearoa, with five songs selected as winners.

Play It Strange CEO, Stephanie Brown said: "This is the second year we have run the Waiata Māori competition - and the quality of entries has blown us all away. Such beautiful waiata have been entered from across Aotearoa - and we can’t wait to hear the winners final tracks”

The judging panel consisted of Dame Hinewehi Mohi and rapper/producer Kings, who will also mentor the winning student. Kings commented on the judging process: “Such epic songs man. What a journey. So much talent!”

The first-place winner is Ihaka Whanarere‑Tauri from Manukura School in Manawatū-Whanganui for his song "Tai o Mate". Dame Hinewehi Mohi said of the waiata: “Continuing the rich legacy of waiata reo Māori, making us proud Ihaka, and Manukura. Kei runga noa atu!”

Whanarere‑Tauri described his song: "This song is paying homage to those who’ve gone before us. Those whom we’ve lost in the past few days, weeks, and months. Tariana Turia, Pakaitore Turia, Te Terenga Whanarere, and everyone else who has passed away. This is a form of crying out to them and remembering all the memories and things they’ve done for us who are still here on earth."

Whanarere‑Tauri will receive a full day in a professional recording studio of his choice, a 1:1 mentoring session with Kings, an online artist development session with Sacha Vee, and a performance at Play It Strange’s Annual Awards.

The other winners are Waimarama Kākā-Nesbit from Western Springs College with "Taku Tai Aroha", Oliver Livingstone and Haritoa Waaka from Wellington College with "Intertwined/He Hono Tangata", Salem Māhia Randall from Gisborne Boys’ High School with "Ka pō, ka ao, ka awatea", and Kaiaia Hawk, Rawinia Morehu, Devon McIntyre, and Puna Shortland-Theodore from Western Springs College Ngā Puna o Waiōrea with "Taku Whetū".

Play It Strange, established in 2003, runs annual national songwriting competitions for high school students. Finalists record their songs in professional studios, which are released on digital albums, and receive mentorship and performance opportunities. Past alumni include Kimbra, Georgia Nott of Broods, Liz Stokes of The Beths, Frankie Venter, Annah Mac, Louis Baker, CHAII, Luca George, and Ratbag.