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‘Kua Kotahi Rā’ is a te reo version of 'We Belong', the official waiata created for Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025.

Performed by Corrella, the translation has been overseen by Sir Tīmoti Kāretu and Dame Hinewehi Mohi, two of the most important figures in the Māori arts world.

Commissioned by Te Matatini, ‘Kua Kotahi Rā’ will sit alongside its English counterpart ‘We Belong’ as the soundtrack fo 2025’s installment of Te Matatini, a biennial national kapa haka festival which is the largest celebration of Māori performing arts excellence in the world. Created and led by Corrella’s Pipiwharauroa & Ngawaiwere Campbell (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti He, Ngāti Pukenga) and Te Naawe Tupe (Ngāi Tūhoe), the waiata embraces the feeling of unity and togetherness which Te Matatini brings.

Speaking about the project, Pipiwharauroa says “Having the song for Te Matatini 2025 in both English and te reo Māori is something that we found really important. The waiata itself was written to say that all are welcome, and we hope that by having a version in both languages, it will help people across Aotearoa New Zealand and abroad realise that Te Matatini is for everyone. We also hope this reo version can become a waiata that is sung by our tamariki in wharekura for years to come. 

To have Dame Hinewehi and Sir Tīmoti help in bringing this version to light is a true honour. They are two people who have had such a huge impact on Māoridom, and to have their fingerprints over this kaupapa just speaks to how incredible Te Matatini is. 

Ko te take nui i whakamaoritia e mātou i tēnei waiata, ko a mātou tamariki kei ngā kura kaupapa, wharekura. Te nuinga o ēnei kura, kua rūmakina katoa ki te reo Māori, nā, inaianei, e ahei ana rātou te whakarongo ki tēnei waiata ki te kura.”  

The release of ‘Kua Kotahi Rā’ comes on the eve of Te Matatini 2025 kicking off. From 25th February to 1st March, 55 groups will perform on stage at Pukekura/Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth to an audience of approximately 70,000, and an expected 2.5 million viewers on TV or online.