THE TALKING TANIWHA OF ROTORUA

Catchy songs from a bi-ligual Maori school show. The four stories in the show all came from Te Arawa (who, of course, are based in the Rotorua area) –The Talking Taniwha of Rotorua (the classic taniwha story), Hinemoa and Tutanekai, Hatupatu and the Birdwoaman, and the lesser known Heart of a Kereru.

The two main Maori performers (Auntie Monie and Uncle Tipu) are both of Te \Arwa tribe and descendnts of Hinemoa and Tutaneka.

Side one                                                                       Side two

1.   Kiaora #1                                                               1.   Kiaora #2

2.   The Talking Taniwha of Rotorua                             2.   Hinemoa

3.  The heart of a kereru                                               3.   Tutanekai

4.      Hatupatu

5.      Pets

6.      Kiaora # 3

All words and music by Arif Usmani

Kiaora #1, The heart of a kereru, Hinemoa, Tutanekai, Pets and Kiaora #3 are all also on Waiata reka (sweet Maori songs) CD

  CREDITS FOR “The Talking Taniwha of Rotorua”

Auntie Monie - vocals

Uncle Tipu – vocals

Uncle Harry – vocals, acoustic guitar

Samantha Emerson – vocals

Paul – Cook Island drums

Auntie Uncle – keyboards, percussion

Auntie Clockwise – electric guitar, acoustic piano, percussion

Jay Foulkes- drums, percussion

Jinja Beer – sax, flute

Peter Koopman – bass

Uncle Tai – vocals

Auntie Jean – vocals

Auntie Sandy – vocals

Jimmy Williams – vocals

Mandy Edwards – vocals

Auntie Sha – vocals

Richard Wehi – vocals

Produced by Arif Usmani and Nigel Gavin

Recorded at Progressive. Engineer: Tim Gummer

Mixed at Garden Shed. Engineer: Steve Garden

Cover by Lynn Usmani

Funded by NZ Lotteries Board

Thsnks to Doug Bourke and Northbridge Community Arts Council