Roimata Kereama

Ko Tainui te waka

Ko Ruahine te maunga

Ko Rangitīkei te awa

Ko Ngāti Raukawa te au ki te tonga te iwi

Ko Ngāti Manomano, Ngāti Parewahawaha, Ngāti Pikiahu Waewae ngā hāpū i te taha o taku pāpā

Ko Ngāti Whakatere, Ngāti Kauwhata ngā hāpū i te taha o taku māma

Ko Taumata o-te-ra, ko Parewahawaha, ko Te Tikanga, ko Poutu, ko Kauwhata ngā marae

I am a third of the kaupapa Māori band 'Takitoru' that was formed in Ōtaki 1995. There have been three members consistently, and originally Angie Stretch, of Ngāti Takihiku, hāpū of Ngāti Raukawa, Charlotte Simmonds, of Ngāti Rangatahi, Ngāti Raukawa and Roimata Kereama, Ngāti Manomano, Ngāti Raukawa. All have whom come from a teaching background and have come through the Ngāti Raukawa language revitalization project called 'Whakatupuranga Rua Mano', the four Principles that maintained the focus were:

• The people are our wealth - to develop and retain
• The Māori language is a taonga - to halt its decline and revive,
• The marae is our principal home - maintain and respect it, and
• Self-determination - to which we hold dear and try to maintain.

We have had lots of help and support from many over the years, as additional singers, composers, musicians, administration support. Those following have been instrumental in the success of Takitoru. Raiha Cook, Alicia Miratana, Rolland Simmonds, Ngaheke O'Carroll, Tracey Stretch, Tipi Wehipeihana, Kimo Winiata, Keelan Ransfield, Antz Smith, Angela Liggins, Tipene Heke, Maru Karatea-Goddard, Piki Kereama.

We have released two full albums, Ko Ngāti Raukawa mātou, 1999 and Aku Pikikōtuku 2015 and have appeared on Tangiora, the first compilation album in Te reo produced in 1997, with two waiata Māori, 'Kāore he kupu', and 'Tēnā āno koe e hine'. It was hugely celebrated and launched at Parliament, alongside other artists, Kimo Winiata and Keelan Ransfield, Toni Huata, Dallas Tamaira and Jackie Keelan. We as 'Takitoru' were guided by our whanaunga, Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal.

We have also been televised on many shows, 'Ka hao te rangatahi', a part of Marae in 1995, performing our waiata, 'Kua piritahi', that was released on our first album, this song was written by Piki Kereama for 'Takitoru'. We have also sung on 'Mai Lives', 'Mai Time', singing our waiata 'Taku rākau' 1997 and lending vocals for another local band, 'Taiohi' with their song 'Piepie' 2000. We have been interviewed on tv and appeared on One network news for the launch of 'Tangiora'.

We have performed in many locations in Aotearoa, and events on marae, universities and schools, community halls, paddocks, hospitals, and in cities and towns like: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Nelson, Rotorua, Tauranga, Napier, Waiuku, Shannon, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Halcombe, Whanganui, Levin and Ōtaki,

On our many marae, 'Taumata-o-te-rā', 'Raukawa', 'Poutū', 'Tokorangi', 'Hongoeka', 'Kererū', 'Tukorehe', 'Takapuwāhia' and other marae, out of our rohe, 'Huria' Marae in Tauranga, 'Parikino' up the Whanganui river and 'Te Āwhina' in Motueka.

We have also sung alongside many of our own idols, firstly 'Tauira', 'Iwi' and 'Native sons', 'Black Katz', 'Aotearoa' and 'Dave Grace and Injustice', 'Katchafire', and 'Dallas Tamaira'. It has been hard work, fun, challenging, rewarding and we have enjoyed our ride.

Ehara taku toa, i te toa takitahi, taku toa, takitini takimano e.