Maoris on 45 is a 1982 novelty single by the New Zealand musical group The Consorts. Produced by Dalvanius Prime, the track was conceived as a Māori‑language medley inspired by the Dutch “Stars on 45” concept, featuring a succession of traditional Māori songs performed with a sparse hand‑clap and guitar arrangement.
Background and composition
The song combines a series of Māori folk tunes—such as “Pā Mai”, “Me He Manu Rere”, “Hoki Mai e Tama Mā”, “E te Hokowhitu”, and “Taringa Wairua”—linked together in a continuous medley. An English bridging verse precedes the medley. The arrangement showcases the Māori “jingajik” strum style of guitar. Dalvanius Prime, who later achieved fame with the Pātea Māori Club, created the piece as a tribute to the party‑sing‑along songs of his childhood, though he declined to have his name credited on the record. The listed producer on the single is Terence O’Neill‑Joyce of Ode Records.
Release and reception
Released in May 1982 on RCA Victor, the 3‑minute‑12‑second single entered the New Zealand singles chart at number 12 and peaked at number 4 after five weeks. It ranked 39th among the top singles of 1982 in New Zealand, making it one of the most successful locally produced Māori‑language recordings of the year. The commercial success contributed to Dalvanius Prime’s decision to establish his own label, Maui Records, in 1984.
Personnel
The Consorts were assembled specifically for this recording, with members drawn from the local music scene. Notable participants include actor Jay Laga’aia.
Legacy
“Maoris on 45” is regarded as a notable example of Māori popular music entering mainstream charts, illustrating the viability of Māori language content within the commercial pop market of the early 1980s.
References
- Wikipedia entry “Maoris on 45”, retrieved via Jina AI mirror (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maoris_on_45).