29 May 2020

US and NZ armed forces collaborate for waiata

From Morning Report, 7:56 am on 29 May 2020

This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

New Zealand's lockdown has had all sorts of unexpected results - but one of the more unusual is a musical collaboration between New Zealand and US armed forces.

Performers from navy, army and airforce bands have together produced a version of the waiata 'Tutira Mai Nga Iwi' and posted it to YouTube.

The song's composer was Wiremu Te Tau Huata who was a New Zealand military chaplain to the 28th Maori Battalion.

His whānau gave permission for the waiata to be used.

One of the drivers of the project was Staff Sergeant Bryan Andrews of the US Air Force Band of the Pacific.

He speaks to Corin Dann.