Dame Kiri surprises Parliament with song
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa delighted MPs and watchers-on in Parliament when she joined in a rendition of Pokarekare Ana with opera singer Kawiti Waetford in the House this afternoon.
Te Kanawa last performed publicly in 2016, and she announced her retirement the following year. “I thought, well, it’s not going to hurt,” she told The Post, after the impromptu performance that followed a series of tributes by MPs in the House – which she described as “the most special” honour she’d received.
“I would say this was the most special, the very most special [honour], of my entire life,” she said.
“There is nothing more special than your own government recognising what you’ve done. I’m very proud of it.”
Her life’s work was recognised immediately before Question Time in Parliament yesterday afternoon, following a motion to recognise her achievements by Arts and Culture Minister Paul Goldsmith, for her 80th birthday this month.
“I move that this House recognise the achievements and career of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, and congratulate her as she celebrates her 80th birthday,” Goldsmith said.
“Very few New Zealanders attain global pre-eminence in their field, even fewer hold onto that pre-eminence for decades. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa was one such Kiwi. Her 80th birthday provides an opportunity for us to acknowledge her talent and her distinguished career.
“This House is a place of debate and confrontation ... but it should also be a place where from time to time we pause to reflect on the achievements of some of our fellow New Zealanders.”
After Goldsmith’s motion, Labour’s Willie Jackson paid tribute to Te Kanawa, saying she had helped bring te reo Māori and waiata to people. “Dame Kiri was probably the most famous Māori performer for the last two generations ... we want to thank her for significant contribution to music and the fine arts. Her Māori language albums ... really elevated te reo Māori to the world stage.”
To much laughter, he invited her to go into politics. “I was reminded by the Māori caucus we lost a few seats and we have an available spot in the north at the moment. Feel free to get in touch with me if you feel the need to join politics.”
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson spoke of fond memories she had of her father, the actor Rawiri Paratene, touring with Te Kanawa. “It was one of the proudest moments of my father.”
ACT leader David Seymour said Te Kanawa had joined the world stage when the country was primarily known for “rugby, racing and beer”. “It showed the world and ourselves that we could be something different. That we could be at the top of the world in opera, I think helped New Zealanders find out who we are in the world and not just stand proudly, but stand in a different way.” Seymour shared an anecdote he’d heard about Te Kanawa hunting pheasants with the Queen – and Te Kanawa being an apparently excellent shot.
Afterwards, she told The Post the honour was “pretty amazing, really, really kind, lovely words. Obviously they thought about it a lot. Giving that amount of generosity and time in Parliament is really special. Everyone was so thoughtful.”
On the offer to join the Labour Party? “I think we’ll wait for that one ... a long time.”
The tributes were part of a series of events for Te Kanawa’s birthday earlier this month, including a celebration at Government House, hosted by Dame Cindy Kiro, which included special wishes from King Charles and Queen Camilla.