Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori: Seth Haapu covers Don't Dream It's Over

Seth Haapu is a singer/songwriter who hails from Whanganui and is of Ngāti Porou and Te Āti Haunui-ā-Pāpārangi descent.

He's working on the follow up to his first (self-titled) album - released in 2011 -which is looking set to release this summer.

Haapu returns to music after putting his own work on hold during which time he's been helping to mentor up-and-coming Māori musicians through the development programme Pao Pao Pao.

He's also released two short EPs simply titled Volume I and II, but says he's "been in good company, collaborating and laying the groundwork" for his upcoming release.

And while he doesn't usually sing in te reo, Haapu says he found more meaning in this Crowded House hit when connecting to it through the language.

"When I sing in te reo Māori there's a sense of a deeper connection to my heritage and identity," he says.

"I'm moved by the message of the song in a way that goes beyond my ability to articulate."

And similarly, music has helped him connect to the language.

The singer says te reo is a "treasure" which, in music, "keeps our language and stories alive."

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is reproduced here with permission.