Photo: Supplied
In this week’s Regional Wrap we look at the culture of Far North town Kaitaia.
In July, the Kaitaia Community Choir will join 250 other choirs from more than 30 countries at the World Choir Games in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. The choir has singers from across the Far North, from Ahipara to Mangonui, Pukenui to Kaitaia and Karikari Peninsula.
The choir was established in 2019 by composer, musician and choir director Dr Opeloge Ah Sam, who was formerly a music teacher at Kaitāia College and organised a Pasifika Festival in Kaitaia. His group Musika Collective has performed widely.
Ah Sam has more recently shifted to Marcellin College in Auckland, but returns to the Far North in June with his acclaimed stage show Aua e te tagi (Kerikeri’s Turner Centre, 13 June).
He spoke with Culture 101’s Mark Amery.
