Aku Raukura

"Aku Raukura" (English: "Waving White Feathers"), also known as "Raukura", is a song by Pātea Māori Club. Originally written in sessions with Ngoi Pēwhairangi and Dalvanius Prime in Tokomaru Bay in 1982, it was released as their second single in June 1984, during the chart success of their debut hit "Poi E". The song peaked at number 10 in New Zealand, and was later included in their 1987 debut album Poi E.

"Aku Raukura"
Single by Pātea Māori Club
from the album Poi E
ReleasedJune 1984 (1984-06)
RecordedApril 1984[1]
StudioMascot Recording Studios, Auckland.[1]
Genre
Length4:00
LabelMaui Records
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Dalvanius Prime
Pātea Māori Club singles chronology
"Poi E"
(1983)		 "Aku Raukura"
(1984)		 "Hei Konei Rā"
(1984)

Background and composition

The song was written in Tokomaru Bay in 1982, when Dalvanius Prime visited the house of lyricist Ngoi Pēwhairangi. In a single day, the pair had created "Poi E", "Aku Raukura" and "Hei Konei Rā".[2][3] The song was written to help younger Māori alienated from their culture in a familiar medium,[4] and is a discussion of identity and a request for Urban Māori to reconnect to their roots.[5][6]

It was first performed to an audience at the 1983 Polynesian Festival alongside "Poi E",[5] in Heretaunga (Hastings, New Zealand) in February. The track was recorded in April 1984 at Mascot Recording Studios,[1] located on Queen Street, Auckland. The song features Dalvanius' brother Timothy Prime as the kaea (lead vocalist).[1]

The song was released as a single in June 1984,[5] and debuted at number 30 on the charts.[7] However, by late July the single peaked at number 10.[7] In a 1984 episode of the variety show Hui Pacific the group performed the song alongside breakdancers.[8]

At the 1984 New Zealand Music Awards, "Aku Raukura" was nominated for Single of the Year, however lost to The Narcs' "You Took Me (Heart and Soul)".[9] However, the single won the Top Polynesian Award, and the single artwork by Joe Wylie won the Sleeve Design award.[10]

The song was performed at the Seville Expo '92 New Zealand pavilion, by a group led by George and Tangiwai Ria, and including some members of Pātea Māori Club.[6]

Alongside "Poi E", "Aku Raukura (Disco Mix)" appears on the soundtrack to the 2010 film Boy.[11]

Track listing
  • NZ 12-inch single and cassette single[12][13]
  1. "Aku Raukura"  – 4:00
  2. "Poi E" (Monster U.S. Breakdance Mix)  – 3:50
  3. "Aku Raukura Part 2"  – 3:03
  4. "Medley" (Live in Concert) "Aku Raukura" "Hei Konei Ra"  – 5:05
  • NZ 7-inch single[14]
  1. "Aku Raukura"  – 4:00
  2. "Medley" (Live in Concert) "Aku Raukura" "Hei Konei Ra"  – 5:05
  3. "Poi E" (Monster U.S. Breakdance Mix)  – 3:50

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the Poi E album booklet.[1]

  • Dalvanius Prime – arrangement, producer, songwriting
  • Willie Dayson – slide guitar
  • Gordon Joll – Drumulator
  • Stuart Pearce – keyboard, additional arrangement
  • Ngoi Pēwhairangi – songwriting
  • Timothy Prime – kaea (vocal lead)
  • Tama Renata – guitar, additional arrangement

Charts
Chart (1984) Peak
position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[15] 10

Certifications
Certifications and sales for "Aku Raukura"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[16] Gold 10,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Poi E (booklet). Patea Maori. Maui Records, WEA Records NZ. 1987. MAUILP 14.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. Cammick, Murray (4 October 2002). "Poi-E". Audio Culture Iwi Waiata. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  3. "The History". Patea Maori Club. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  4. "Tape, Cassette". Puke Ariki. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  5. Paratoki-Lewis, May; Gilmour, Cath (1 June 1984). "Bopping & breaking". Tu Tangata. No. 18. p. 24. Retrieved 12 November 2021 – via Papers Past.
  6. Waka Maori: Vibrant Action Song & Dance (Cassette liner notes). New Zealand Expo Maori Entertainers. Kiwi-Pacific Records. 1992. TC SLC-224.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. "PATEA MAORI CLUB - AKU RAUKURA (SONG)". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  8. "Hui Pacific - Episode". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  9. "Awards 1984". Listing. NZ Music Awards. Archived from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  10. "1984 N.Z. MUSIC AWARDS". Rip It Up. No. 88. 1 November 1984. p. 2. Retrieved 12 November 2021 – via Papers Past.
  11. "Boy - Movie Soundtrack". Amplifier. Archived from the original on 3 September 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  12. Aku Raukura (12-inch Single liner notes). Patea Maori Club. Maui Records. 1984. MAUIEP 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. Aku Raukura (Cassette Single liner notes). Patea Maori Club. Maui Records. 1984. MAUIEPC5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. Aku Raukura (7-inch Single liner notes). Patea Maori Club. Maui Records. 1984. MAUI 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. "Patea Maori Club – Aku Raukura". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  16. "Success merits smiles". Auckland Star. National Library of New Zealand. 12 October 1985. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
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