Pao Pao Pao Showcase History

Pao Pao Pao is the primary showcase event for the work of Pūatatangi, the national Māori music committee of Toi Māori Aotearoa, and connects emerging and established Māori musicians to strengthen the Māori music industry.

Pao! Pao! Pao! was initiated in 2002 by Pūatatangi Chair, Hirini Melbourne, to create a nurturing space for current and emerging Māori musicians and offer a public experience of Te Ara Pūoro—the Spectrum of Māori Musical Creativity, which is based on three principles:

1. Recognising the broad spectrum of Māori musical endeavour
2. Creating opportunities for all Māori musical artists to come together
3. Offering a kaupapa Māori platform that embraces Māori musical artists working across the broad spectrum of Māori musical endeavour

First staged at Waikato University Performing Arts Centre. Pao Pao Pao became a nationally respected kaupapa Māori showcase of the best of contemporary Māori music and has proved to be a key milestone in the career development of the next generation of Māori musicians.