Takapuna Grammar School’s Leonessa Choir Delivers Moving Māori Tribute at The Big Sing
Takapuna Grammar School’s Leonessa choir captivated audiences during their performance of “Te Iwi E” at The Big Sing choral event, held in 2025. Dressed in their school uniforms, the singers first sparked curiosity about their song selection before revealing a powerful, culturally significant piece performed entirely in te reo Māori.
The performance opened dramatically with a solo voice projecting clearly and powerfully across the hall. This initial vocal presence immediately drew full focus from the listeners, allowing them to engage deeply with the sound and language of the song. As the soloist’s voice filled the space, the rest of the choir gradually joined, creating a rich and expansive ensemble sound.
The musical structure of the piece skillfully balanced intimacy and communal strength. The opening solo established a personal and emotional connection, which then blossomed into a collective expression of unity when the full choir responded. This transition from individual to group voice embodied the song’s themes of togetherness and community.
Singing in te reo Māori gave the performance a significant cultural weight. Beyond just melodic lines, the choir’s attention to linguistic articulation, rhythmic phrasing, and textual meaning resonated clearly even for listeners unfamiliar with the language. The words, paired with harmonious voices, transformed the performance into a living celebration of Māori heritage.
Equally integral to the performance was the coordinated movement of the choir members. Their hands and body gestures emphasized musical phrasing and conveyed the emotions embedded in the text. This synchronized physical expression enhanced the visual and rhythmic dimension of the presentation, helping convey the message beyond sound alone.
Watch the performance
The choreography of gestures alongside the singing created a compelling synergy, providing visual accents that reinforced the harmonic dynamics and helped communicate the song’s message of unity and respect.
The director of the Leonessa choir, Elise Bradley, guided the singers in harnessing both vocal power and movement to produce a performance that was more than a mere choral recital but a heartfelt homage to New Zealand’s Māori culture.
The choir’s blend and balance were the results of deep listening and careful ensemble work. Every voice shaped its phrase with precision, ensuring clarity in shared entrances and releases that maintained the integrity of the musical lines.
The energy of the performance was enhanced by the youthful members who, while performing formally in their uniforms, expressed individuality through tone, facial expressions, and physical gestures, making the presentation dynamic and engaging.
The song “Te Iwi E” itself, credited to Wehi Whanau, carries a message of collective identity and togetherness, ideals that the choir’s execution vividly communicated in their performance.
The moving tribute not only honored Māori traditions but also resonated universally, touching viewers emotionally and inspiring reflections on unity in a world often marked by division.
The performance’s widespread praise and viral reach attest to its impact, with many recognizing the powerful educational and cultural lessons it imparts through art.
The visual rhythm created by hands and bodies preceding vocal phrases captivated audiences, turning the performance into a multisensory experience that invited viewers to follow both motion and sound simultaneously.
Such an integrated approach of combining music and movement is a modern method of choral presentation that enhances storytelling and emotional connection, as demonstrated beautifully by Leonessa.
This performance exemplifies how school choirs can transcend traditional concert settings to deliver meaningful cultural expressions that engage broad audiences with messages of peace and respect.
Two more performances to explore
The Big Sing 2025: Takapuna Grammar School perform ‘Te iwi e’ | RNZ
This video offers an alternate official perspective of Takapuna Grammar School’s performance of “Te iwi e,” capturing the same emotional and cultural depth of the choir’s tribute at The Big Sing 2025.
Te Iwi E from Te Whānau Wehi – Performed by the New Zealand Youth Choir
Performed by the prestigious New Zealand Youth Choir, this rendition of “Te Iwi E” by Wehi Whanau provides a professional complement to Takapuna Grammar School’s version, emphasizing the song’s powerful message of Māori unity.
