Seth Haapu is Pacific Soul

Seth Haapu (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi) is a quiet force behind many beloved NZ musicians. Crafting songs for Stan Walker, Maisey Rika, Sons of Zion, Tami Neilson, and Teeks, he’s garnered over 40 million streams on Spotify alone.

Awarded with ‘Kaitito Waiata Māori Autaia’ at the 11th Waiata Māori Music Awards in 2018, Haapu received the 2021 APRA Maioha Award for his collaboration with Maisey Rika. 

Having graced stages with Crowded House and supported John Legend, Haapu’s journey includes performances at WOMAD Aotearoa and Chile in 2018 and tours in Hawaii, Las Vegas, and his ancestral home, Tahiti.

Stepping into prominence, ‘Whai Ora,’ his latest album, is a captivating blend of Polynesian falsetto, R&B rhythms, and soulful melodies across ten tracks. Inspired by a sacred journey to Tahiti, the album delves into healing, reconnection, and aroha, grounded in whakapapa and the eternal bond with past, present, and future generations.

Co-produced by Kody Nielson (Unknown Mortal Orchestra), the album was crafted with luminaries such as Sir Tīmoti Kāretu, Maisey Rika, Hana Mereraiha, and Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi (TEEKS). Haapu emphasises the strength of collaboration, citing the whakataukī, “Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini” (My strength is not mine alone, but it is the strength of many).

The lead waiata and title track, ‘Whai Ora’, encapsulate a new wave of Pacific Soul, representing a state of mind focused on presence, connection, and resilience through change. Seth interprets ‘Whai Ora’ as an affirmation of life, translating to “equipped with life, health, or vitality”.

The record symbolises holistic healing within te ao Māori and wellbeing through the interconnectedness of all things.

Reviews

“Spiritual healing” - NZ Listener (2023)

“Stunning” - Rolling Stone (2023)

“The album of the summer” - NZ Herald (2023)