The Maori language song Upokohue has won second place in the World Music category in the 2014 International Songwriting Competition (ISC).
Each year the competition has become progressively more competitive, and with over 18,000 entries from 118 countries, organisers consider this to be a remarkable achievement.
Upokohue from the album RIMA (Moana & the Tribe) was written by Moana Maniapoto, Scotty Morrison and Paddy Free. It is a tribute and in some ways, a love song, to the endangered Maui dolphin. Upoko means ‘head’ while ‘hue’ is a type of gourd.
This is the second time Moana has entered the ISC. In 2004, she was announced the overall winner, and awarded the Grand Jury Prize (2003) for her song Moko. Her song Whole Worlds Watching was also one of 10 finalists in the new ‘Pick a Cause’ category.
Moana & the Tribe released their album RIMA at the end of last year. They will be perfoming at WAIATA on May 30 as part of a special showcase of original Maori music during NZ Music Month and are planning a tour of Australia later on in the year.
Media Release: NZ Music Month