Cultural exchanges between Wales and Aotearoa New Zealand have enabled three talented Māori bilingual recording artists to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the award-winning FOCUS Wales international music festival from 8-10 May 2025 in Wrexham, North Wales.
The New Zealand artists will make connections with Welsh musical contemporaries and other artists from around the world where our heritage languages are being celebrated through music. The featured New Zealand artists are MOHI, Jordyn with a Why, and MĀ, who will each perform two sets throughout the three-day festival supported by band members from New Zealand.
MOHI and Jordyn with a Why will represent Aotearoa on the FOCUS Panel discussion on Saturday 10 May, Cardiff University Presents: Reflections on Music and Language in Cymru and Aotearoa, exploring music as a platform for expressing language and culture. Topics include musical trends in non-English language music, questions of cultural authenticity, tensions around genre and language and how language can transcend genre barriers.
FOCUS Wales, awarded ‘Best Festival for Emerging Talent’ at the UK Festival Awards and now in its 15th year, is expected to welcome over 22,000 attendees to Wrexham, building upon 2024's record attendance. The festival will showcase more than 250 artists across 20 stages in various venues throughout the city, complemented by interactive industry panels, networking events, and film screenings.
The New Zealand artists' schedule includes performances at GlyndwrTV on Thursday 8 May, with Jordyn with a Why, MOHI, and MĀ each delivering 20-minute sets. On Saturday 10 May, all three artists will perform longer 30-minute sets at Hope Street Church. The Aotearoa: New Zealand Networking Reception, hosted by Cardiff University at Hope Street Church on Saturday evening, will provide further opportunities for cultural exchange and professional connections.
Natasha Beckman, Director, British Council New Zealand and the Pacific, said “The reclamation and revitalisation of both the Welsh language, Cymraeg, and te reo Māori through music is a powerful story that inspires people across the globe. The British Council is proud to facilitate ongoing cultural exchanges between Wales and New Zealand, creating meaningful connections and opening new pathways for musicians.”
Tāwera Tahuri, Lead International Adviser – Indigenous Exchange at Creative New Zealand said “Creative New Zealand is excited to be involved in this collaboration, which supports our goal to extend the reach of Aotearoa arts and ngā toi (Māori arts) globally."
Mike Hall, Director Member Services at APRA AMCOS said “This is an incredible opportunity for our artists to share Aotearoa's unique musical voice on an international stage and share our experience of language revitalisation through music. It's through determined and passionate collaboration between organisations such as APRA AMCOS, British Council New Zealand and the Pacific, Creative New Zealand, British Council Wales, New Zealand Music Commission | Te Reo Reka o Aotearoa, Prosiect Pūtahitanga (Cardiff University Research Project), Wales Arts International, Arts Council of Wales and British High Commission Wellington, that opportunities for cultural exchange between New Zealand and UK artists can be realised.”
Andy Jones, co-founder and music programmer for the FOCUS Wales showcase festival said: "Hosting these talented Māori artists at our festival is at the heart of what FOCUS Wales stands for—creating meaningful connections across borders through music. The Welsh and Māori languages have had similar journeys, and it will be great to see a celebration of this heritage and connection. We're thrilled to provide a platform at FOCUS Wales where these cultural conversations can happen."
Learn more about FOCUS Wales here.
The British Council New Zealand and the Pacific is proud to partner with the following organisations on this project:
Learn more about the artists: