Teeks on Tā me Iti: ‘He’s an icon’
Although he’s best known for a honeysweet soul voice and for bursting onto the Kiwi music scene with last year’s album Something to Feel, Teeks has revealed a strong political message.
In a new interview published on Stuff today, the Hokiangaborn, Auckland-resident artist Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi
(Ngā puhi, Ngā i Te Rangi, Ngā ti Ranginui) opens up on how he feels about New Zealand, even saying he thinks activist-artist Tā me Iti ought to be on a Kiwi banknote.
‘‘He’s an icon, and a personal hero of mine,’’ he says. ‘‘I like his aesthetic. He’s got strong principles and a playful nature in everything he does, but he’s also a bad-ass.
‘‘I loved that video where he went into that hotel in Wellington and changed his misspelled name on a painting, and they had Snoop Dogg playing in the background. We need a few more people like him.’’
Teeks has become quite the hit machine overseas since launching his singing career in 2017 with The Grapefruit Skies EP, even appearing in fashion magazine Vogue and producing a gold record in South Africa. And that perspective has led him to think deeply about Aotearoa, telling
that he wished the country was more open and willing to acknowledge its own history.
‘‘I think that’s the most important thing in order for us to all move forward together. If more people embraced the essence of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, I think the country would be a more beautiful place. I’m hoping the younger generation start to really turn the tide and help get us to that place a lot faster.’’
That said, he’s still driven to explore the world and says he’s keen to try living in Japan.
‘‘I wish, every day I could eat Japanese food. Like, a good bowl of ramen, in particular. It’s got everything you want in that bowl, and it’s delicious. I love it.
‘‘I wish I could live in Japan. Which makes a lot of sense, because then I could eat all that ramen! Actually, I’ve never been to Japan, but I’ve always wanted to. I love Japanese culture and food and their fashion scene, and I’m also a huge anime fan. So Japan really appeals to me, but I guess I should visit first before I move all the way over there…’’
For now, though, his ambitions are a little closer to home, saying that his ideal Sunday would involve spending time with his nan in Tauranga.
‘‘I’ve got heaps of whā nau there. My nan is almost 90, I think, and she’s got a lot of grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. She’s the matriarch of my mum’s side of the family, and I love spending time with her.‘‘