Pathwaying Māori and Pacific musicians into the world music space.
Born from the vision and activism of George Te Aroha Kahi, the Matariki Cultural Foundation (MCF) preserves language, empowers artists
and connects Indigenous voices worldwide.
Through residencies, grants, and global showcases, we create pathways for Māori and Pacific musicians into the world music space - with WOMEX as our anchor platform.
Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa. The great connector.
Aotearoa is part of Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, connected through shared ancestral pathways of migration, navigation and cultural exchange. The Moana does not separate us; it carries our whakapapa, languages, stories, knowledge and relationships between islands, across oceans and through generations.
These connections are at the heart of Matariki Cultural Foundation. Our co-founder, George Te Aroha Kahi, believed we needed to understand and honour the tuakana-teina relationship between Māori and Pacific peoples, and the care, respect, and responsibilities it carries.
Through music and cultural exchange, we connect Māori, Pacific and other Indigenous artists and communities. He Waiata Roa - The Long Song, gives these relationships a living expression, bringing people together to share knowledge, create new music and carry their languages and stories into the world.