Join award-winning duo ARO | Charles and Emily Looker (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua, Ngāti Mutunga) for an evening of original waiata that weave together jazz, folk, and haka-infused pop. Friday 13 June, 7pm | Bar Open 6:30pm

 
Be among the first to hear their stunning new release, Te Karanga, performed live. Released on 23 May, Te Karanga is described as raw and real – a powerful expression of Aro’s kaupapa: to live with hope, to move with aroha, and to leave a legacy that calls others forward. Blending Emily's honey-voiced jazz with Charles' full-throated, percussive sound, with shades of haka, Aro's performance creates a wholly original and heartwarming experience, anchored in Aotearoa. It leaves all who are present with the feeling of having been let in on a special secret.

The pair from Pukekohe are known for their multi-genre fusion of music and storytelling, exploring themes of kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga - looking after ourselves, each other, and our environment. Recent critical acclaim includes the 2024 Waiata Māori Music Award for Best Pop Album.

‍Since Easter, Charles and Emily have been travelling Aotearoa (with their two tamariki) in a custom-fitted Rugged Kiwi caravan delivering storytelling and songwriting workshops across Aotearoa - and living a life centred around whānau, community, bicultural connection, and legacy.