Tiki Taane: Digital gods, deep roots, and a South Island homecoming

Since going solo from Salmonella Dub, he’s helped Rihanna get a Polynesian tattoo, gifted pounamu to The Prodigy, and released a music documentary that’s won more than 40 international awards. Now he’s coming home with his latest project, Mai Te Uira. By Tamara Pitelen.

Local-boy-done-very-good Tiki Taane is bringing home his latest work in June 2025, Mai Te Uira, an electrifying performance that combines Māori gods and digital innovation, in collaboration with international multidisciplinary artist Kereama Taepa, to coincide with Matariki.

For legendary musician, producer, activist, artist, and sonic explorer Tiki, the creative journey has always been deeply personal, spiritual, and rooted in place. These days, home is Pāpāmoa Beach in the Tauranga region – “since 2010,” he says – yet Ōtautahi remains the bedrock of his identity. “That’s where I was born and forged my career,” he reflects. “I learnt and experienced so much in Christchurch during a pivotal time when music, genres, technology and people merged to create new sounds and cultures.”

Now, Tiki is returning to Te Waipounamu with Mai te Uira, a groundbreaking live performance that combines digital storytelling, sound design, and Māori cosmology in a way that has never been done before. “Matariki felt like the best time to take Mai te Uira to the South Island,” he explains. “We’ve had an incredible response to the show in the North Island, so we can’t wait to bring it down south.”

GOD FROM THE MACHINE
At the heart of Mai te Uira is a speculative question: what would Māori deities – atua – look and sound like in the digital age? “The show explores the concept of atua within the digital realm,” Tiki says. “What would the karakia be when interacting with them in a virtual world?” Based on a karakia by Kereama Taepa, it’s a layered, immersive experience, blending live performance with considered cultural narratives – and offering audiences a glimpse into the possible futures of creativity through a te ao Māori lens.

While he’s cautious about boiling down complex subjects like AI and digital culture into sound bites, Tiki acknowledges these themes flow through his work. “I explore those thoughts and more through my performance and creative process,” he says.

Outside of Mai te Uira, Tiki is diving into another project: creating music and sound effects for Arca Arcade, a Māori video game series. “It’s so much fun,” he says. “Coming up with theme songs and sound effects for the games is a dream creative job.”

HIS SALMONELLA DUB YEARS
Tiki’s past is as storied as his present. He looks back on his time with Salmonella Dub with deep respect and gratitude. “They were amazing times, creating music and then taking it around the world before social media changed everything,” he says. “Being in Saldub taught me significant lessons on how to be an independent artist and navigate my Tikidub brand.”

Memorable moments? Many. Helping Rihanna get a Polynesian tattoo comes to mind. “It was a buzz to meet and hang out with Riri, she’s one cool lady,” Tiki says.

“Another trippy time was when I hung out with James Hetfield from Metallica at a private party, and then him and drummer Lars Ulrich turned up to watch me and SalDub perform at the Big Day Out Festival in Perth. Having dinner with Tool before Shapeshifter supported them in Melbourne was a lot of fun too. Also being asked to gift pounamu to The Prodigy before they performed at Electric Ave festival was a special moment.”

Then there’s the surreal: “The most bizarre experience was getting handcuffed and arrested for singing N.W.A’s song F*** tha Police at my gig in Tauranga. They later dropped the charges before it went to court.”

In 2025, Tiki feels grounded. “I’d say I’m more settled and balanced now,” he says. Even so, he remains guided by the whakataukī (proverb) ‘Ka warea te ware, ka area te rangatira’ – Ignorance the oppressor, vigilance the liberator.

Looking ahead, Tiki sees a bright future for te ao Māori in music. “We’re expanding internationally as we take control of our indigenous gift,” he says. He’s also quick to acknowledge the people behind the scenes. “I want to thank Chamber Music NZ and the Dowse Art Museum – they’ve been instrumental in bringing Mai te Uira into existence. It’s such a unique, thought-provoking performance. I’m proud to share it with Aotearoa.”

Tiki Taane (Ngāti Maniapoto) and Kereama Taepa (Te Arawa, Te Āti Awa) are performing Mai te Uira at The Piano on 16 June. For more information, go to tikidub.com or thepiano.nz.

Did you know? Tiki’s sister Maurz owns Christchurch’s two HAPA stores, which feature Māori designed gifts. “My sister is definitely up there in leading the way for our whānau.” Ka rawe Maurz.