NZSO presents music and story in Te Reo Māori

An award-winning children’s story in Te Reo Māori about a giant with a kind heart has been reimagined by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa for a special whānau-friendly video to premiere this Sunday 20 September.

Tio Tiamu, written by Kurahau and illustrated by Laya Mutton-Rogers, tells the story of the giant Tio Tiamu (Toe Jam) as he overcomes many challenges. The enchanting and moving story won the Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for Te Reo Māori in this year’s New Zealand Book Awards.

Tio Tiamu is the first in the NZSO’s Storytime series recorded entirely in Te Reo Māori. It follows four Storytime instalments released in July, with original music by composer Claire Cowan accompanying readings of children’s stories "Mrs Wishy-Washy’s Farm", "The Bomb", "The Stolen Stars of Matariki" and "The Little Yellow Digger".

Tio Tiamu
Written by Kurahau and illustrated by Laya Mutton-Roger

Composer Tane Upjohn-Beatson

Narrator Maaka Pohatu

The video will premiere on Sunday 20 September at 7pm at live.nzso.co.nz

Kirsten Eade (image supplied)