VAI MAHUTARIKI
Educational Leader
Other success...
All Black Rugby World Cup 2011 Anthem - 'Men In Black' by The Canz
Members of Canz:
Bryce Taylor - lyrics/arrangement, guitar, lead vocals
Vai Mahutariki - main Haka chant and backing vocals
Tama Kirikiri - Haka chant support, baritone backing vocals
Olivia Scott-Taylor - backing vocals
Steven A Williams - war drums
Produced by Steven A Williams at thechapelstudios.co.uk in London
Part-time singer/songwriter and full-time All Black fan, London based Kiwi Bryce Taylor has composed an anthem for the All Blacks, inspired by the momentous occasion of the Rugby World Cup 2011 being held in New Zealand.
Bryce, who has performed at All Black post match functions in the UK, composed Men in Black to commemorate the event and encouraged by the hugely positive reaction the song received at his London pub gigs, decided to go the next step and record the song.
His vision was to produce a typically NZ sound with a harmonious blend of voices with a strong Maori/Polynesian thread running through and accompanied only by acoustic guitar and traditional drums.
Men In Black is designed to be played loud - and The Canz hope, in their small way, that Men In Black is one of the things that helps bring Kiwis together as a united force in supporting the All Blacks for the 2011 World Cup.
AMO - MAORI AMBASSADOR
Being selected to be part of AMO (Advancement of Maori Opportunity) 2004 gave me the privelage to develop my leadership skills amongst a profound group of people who are successful within their own working fields. I travelled to New Mexico with this group where we again developed our leadership from learning from American Indian people who are successful in what they do. Being part of the AMO alumni group enables me to stay connected with like minded successful people and the opportunity to keep developing my own leadership within education and as a professional.