Embargo: April 3rd

Hot off the heels of a busy summer, performing at the TSB Festival of Lights and Music In Parks, Tāmaki Makaurau duo Rā Charmian have released their first music of 2026 - the uplifting single and video ‘Kia Puāwai’.

‘Kia Puāwai’ is a heartfelt, sincere message of reconnecting with Māori roots working to create a moment of magic in its easy-listening, RnB infused sound.

As vocalist Rā Toia-Booth explains, “the song came about during a time when I was reconnecting more deeply with my Māori roots and te reo Māori. I’m not fully fluent, but singing has always been one of the ways I’ve felt most connected to the language. It’s something that has been lost for many in previous generations, so writing and singing in Māori has become a meaningful way to reconnect with that part of my identity.”

Born from a simple acoustic demo of producer Hayden Booth’s, Rā was inspired to develop the song based on the phrase Kia Puāwai; which speaks of blossoming or flourishing. “As the writing developed, the song became connected to the experience of feeling lost and searching for a connection to my whakapapa, but also nurturing a new growing connection.”

Expanding their tight-knit unit for the recording of this NZ On Air funded single, Rā Charmian also bought in two of Aotearoa’s premiere musicians for the recording; Joe Kaptein on keys (Princess Chelsea, Six60) and Elijah Whyte on drums (Nathan Haines, Big Horns).