Te Vaka

Bio

Te Vaka is a New Zealand-based music group formed in 1995 by Tokelauan musician Opetaia Foa'i. The ensemble blends traditional Pacific Island instruments and vocal styles with contemporary arrangements, drawing on the cultural heritage of Tokelau, Tuvalu, Samoa, and other Polynesian islands. Their music often addresses themes of Pacific identity, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation. The group gained international recognition through performances at world-music festivals and through contributions to film soundtracks, notably Disney's Moana. Te Vaka's recordings feature a mix of original compositions and traditional songs, performed in multiple Pacific languages alongside English. Their work has helped bring greater visibility to Polynesian musical traditions on global stages.