Ka Mānu

Since 2016, protest group SOUL had been occupying land at Ihumātao in Māngere, South Auckland, after Fletcher Building acquired the historical site in order to develop a housing project.[2] On 3 July 2019, SOUL were served an eviction notice, and five people were arrested.[3] On 4 August 2019, SOUL protestors and supporters held a hīkoi to protest this action,[4] and on 5 August a number of protests were held nationally, including at the Fletcher headquarters in Penrose.[5][6]

Ruha was overseas in Japan during the early August protests, and was inspired to write a support song for movement after noticing how much of a national response the protests received.[7] A reggae song sung in G major,[8] Ruha and his wife Cilla began organising the project in early August,[9] and recorded the song on 11 August 2019 at Parachute Studios in central Auckland.[7] The song was released soon after on 16 August 2019.[1]

Ruha was inspiration behind "Ka Mānu" was the story of Jesus walking on water in Matthew 14.[7] Ruha intended for the song to express unity and peaceful resistance, and highlight the common issues indigenous people face globally.[10][7]

At the 2020 Waiata Māori Music Awards, "Ka Mānu" won the award for most successful single sung in Te Reo on New Zealand radio,[11] and the Maioha Award at the 2020 APRA Silver Scroll Awards.[12]

Credits adapted from Tidal and YouTube.[13][14]

• Leo Coghini – keyboards
• Thabani Gapara – alto saxophone
• Seth Haapu – vocals
• Ria Hall – vocals
• Marika Hodgson – Bass
• Horomona Horo – taonga pūoro
• James Illingworth – piano, hammond
• Bella Kalolo – vocals
• Tyna Keelan – guitar
• Troy Kingi – vocals
• Jake Krishnamurti – Trumpet
• Darren Mathiassen – drums
• Majic Pāora – vocals
• Maisey Rika – vocals
• Rob Ruha – vocals, producer, composer
• The Witch Dr. – vocals