A unique Aotearoa sunset picnic was held at the Residence of the New Zealand High Commission with an acoustic set by Kiwi-Maori artist Tiki Taane. He is in South Africa to participate in the upcoming Womad event which was founded 40 years ago , performing in both the Western Cape and Gauteng.
Tiki Taane aged 45 years is a producer & musical activist. Possibly one of the country’s most well-known and diverse artists and producers, Tiki Taane is considered to be an influential element in the pioneering of NZs bass culture. First rising to prominence as a live engineer and eventually frontman of leading band Salmonella Dub in 1996 before embarking on his solo career in 2007. He most famous song – Always on my mind, has had over 16 500 000 listens on Spotify alone.
He left school at the age of 14 , started a band at age 15 and began touring at 19. He was destined to become a famous singer. H.E High Commissioner Dr Emma Dunlop-Bennett opened the evening by welcoming guests in two of the traditional languages of New Zealand, paying homage to her ancestors.
“Those that have gone before have paved the way for us and created the space, what lies in the future is based on what comes before”.
A relaxing evening under the stars , soaking in the views of the Pretoria with the purple canopies of jacarandas coupled with relaxing music was the ideal way to end a day.
by Marion Kate
