Hirini Melbourne

Hirini Melbourne (1950-2003) Hirini Melbourne was from Tuhoe and Ngati Kahungunu tribes. He was a secondary school teacher and editor of Maori language school publications. A writer of stories, as well as composer and singer, Hirini is a significant figure in the revival of the Maori language with dozens of his now classic songs sung in classrooms throughout New Zealand. The power of his melodies and the brilliance of his compositions have still to be widely recognised beyond the classroom however.