Manawa Hako from teacher to
ATe Awamutu-based music teacher has released a popular music video to counteract fear and anxiety in youngsters caused by the current Covid crisis. The song — Manawa Hakoakoa — was written, directed and produced by Zacchaeus Te Uri Karaka (Nga¯ti Apakura) from Te Wharekura o Nga¯ Purapura o Te Aroha.
Sung in Te Reo Ma¯ori, the lyrics speak about having a heart of gratitude, maintaining a positive outlook, focusing on what is noble, pure and good.
Zacchaeus, known as ‘Matua Zac’ notes, “These past couple of years have been really difficult for many in our community, mental illness is rife, anxiety is at an all time high, people are on edge, so I wanted to use music as a healing agent to soften the blow of the pandemic and to teach young people how to channel their emotions in a creative way.”
“Our rangatahi Ma¯ori have been impacted by Covid and so this creative process of building a school-wide waiata (song) and having students and staff involved, has brought a sense of unity – that we’re all in this together.”
Zacchaeus has been working at the total immersion Te Reo Ma¯ori school for two years and is passionate about music and the performing arts.
He hopes to teach students how to use music to build resilience, channel hard emotions and maintain good mental health.
“The health benefits of creative expression are well researched, we feel better after moving, dancing, painting, writing and singing - that’s an important life lesson that I want my students to embrace for their own personal well-being and mauri,” says Matua Zac.
The video premiered on YouTube just before Christmas and also features the tamariki and staff of Te Wharekura o Nga¯ Purapura o Te Aroha. It has received about 1000 views.
To watch search Manawa Hakoakoa on YouTube.