Maoris on 45

"Maoris on 45" is a 1982 novelty single by New Zealand group the Consorts, produced by Dalvanius Prime. Inspired by the Dutch hit single "Stars on 45" concept, the song was a Māori language medley of songs performed on the guitar, including "Pā Mai", "Me He Manu Rere", "Hoki Mai e Tama Mā", "E te Hokowhitu" and "Taringa Wairua". The song was a hit in New Zealand, reaching number four.

"Maoris on 45"
Single by The Consorts
ReleasedMay 1982 (1982-05)
Genre
Length3:12
LabelRCA Victor
Songwriter(s)Traditional
Producer(s)Dalvanius Prime
Music video
"Maoris on 45" at NZ On Screen

Background and composition

The song was based on a sparse hand-clap and guitar arrangement.[1] The song was produced by Dalvanius Prime (later known for the Pātea Māori Club), however Prime did not want his name associated with the record.[2] Terence O’Neill-Joyce (of Ode Records) is the listed producer on the single.[3] Prime created the song as a tribute to the songs created at parties on the guitar of his childhood, and the Māori "jingajik" strum style of guitar.[4][3] The song featured a bridging verse in English, followed by a medley of traditional songs including "Pā Mai", "Me He Manu Rere", "Hoki Mai e Tama Mā", "E te Hokowhitu" and "Taringa Wairua".[3][5]

The Consorts were a group created specifically for this song, and Prime was commissioned to create the group.[4] One of the members of the group is Jay Laga'aia, later famous as an actor.[6]

The song was a sleeper hit, debuting at number 12 on the New Zealand charts, and five weeks later peaking at number four.[7] The song was the 39th top single of 1982 in New Zealand, only outperformed by local artists Split Enz, Sir Howard Morrison and Prince Tui Teka (the latter's single "E Ipo", was another Māori language single produced by Prime, and was the top performing single by a New Zealand artist that year).[4][8] The success of the song was one of the reasons which led to Prime forming his own record label in 1984, Maui Records.[2]

Track listing
  • NZ 7-inch single[5]
  1. "Maoris on 45"  – 3:12
  2. "Maoris on 45" (Singalong)  – 3:12

Charts
Chart (1982) Peak
position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[7] 4

Year-end charts
Chart (1982) Position
New Zealand Singles Chart[8] 39

References
  1. "The search for the sound of young Polynesia". Tu Tangata (15). 1 December 1983. p. 5. Retrieved 12 November 2021 – via Papers Past.
  2. "Maoris on 45". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  3. Brown, Michael (23 February 2017). "Ten Riffs on the Maori Strum". Audio Culture. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  4. Cammick, Murray (29 May 2013). "Dalvanius Profile". Audio Culture Iwi Waiata. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  5. Maoris on 45 (7-inch Single liner notes). The Consorts. RCA Victor. 1982. 103990.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. Maniapoto, Moana (23 July 2016). "Dalvanius — no one-hit wonder". eTangata. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  7. "The Consorts – Maoris on 45". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  8. "END OF YEAR CHARTS 1982". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
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