Troy Kingi on Matariki, whānau and being 'unapologetically Māori'

As Aotearoa celebrates Matariki, musician and storyteller Troy Kingi finds himself reflecting on more than another year gone by.

Nearly two decades after imagining one of the boldest creative challenges in New Zealand music - releasing 10 albums across 10 genres in 10 years - the multi-award-winning artist is preparing to close one of the biggest chapters of his career.

But this Matariki, the milestone feels bigger than music.

Between remembering loved ones, preparing to perform alongside two of his daughters, and nearing the end of his ambitious 10-10-10 kaupapa, Kingi says Matariki has become a time to reflect on where he's been and where life is taking him next.

"Since the first Matariki holiday, we [my whānau] all go around and think about someone that's gone, passed on, and we say a little story. We try and change it up every year," he told RNZ.

"The sad thing is someone else passes during the year, so you've got someone else to talk about. But the good thing is we talk about them and we remember them."

His wife's sister, who died a few years ago, remains close to the family's hearts, while others have also passed away more recently. Kingi said those moments of remembrance have become one of the most meaningful parts of the Māori New Year.

"I think of Coco, the Disney movie," he said.

"It's so beautiful where they actually have a night where they remember the dead. I think Matariki is our version of Coco."

Remembering those who have gone has also become a reminder to cherish those who are still here.

"I'm lucky I've still got one of my grandparents around...My nan's a bit sick at the moment and I haven't seen her for a while, so I think that's just the cue for me to go visit these people while they're here.

"Don't go visit their graves. Go while they're still around. Go and have a cup of tea and tell them what you've been up to. I'm sure they'll love to see you."

Taking time to reflect

As Matariki encourages people to pause, Kingi admits he is still learning how to do exactly that.

Although he is nearing the finish line of his 10-10-10 project, he has barely had time to appreciate what he has achieved. The idea itself was born almost two decades ago, long before his first album was released.

"I probably started thinking about it close to 20 years ago," he said.

"My first album didn't come out until I was 32, so I felt like I had a lot in the bank. I had my whole 20s writing songs while raising my kids and working fulltime.

"I think forcing something like 10 albums, 10 years, 10 genres on yourself is just pushing the envelope that kind of lights a rocket up your ass," he laughed.

"I could have probably done it, but if I didn't put it out there, I probably would have done it over 20 or 30 years."

Despite being only one album away from completing the challenge, Kingi said he has not yet allowed himself to celebrate.

"I don't think I've actually sat down and thought about that, because you bring out an album and my mind's already on the next one.

"I don't think it's going to hit me until that's out and out of the system, that I can go, 'Look what we've done here.'"

The final album is set to be recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London next month.

"We're supposed to already be finished. Our year's actually already lapsed.

"But I don't want it to be the 10-10-11 project."

Ka Pu te Ruha - Ka Hao te Rangatahi

If the 10-10-10 project represents one legacy, Friday night's performance at Ngā Reo o te Rangi represents another. Kingi will take to the stage alongside his 18-year-old and 12-year-old daughters.

"It's the audition for the Troy Kingi... the Kingi Five," he joked.

"They're a little bit nervous, but once we get on stage and sing a song, I reckon they'll be fine."

While audiences will see a father performing with his daughters, Kingi sees something much bigger.

"Once this last album comes out, I will be retiring as Troy Kingi, the artist," he said.

"At the end of the day, I think every parent does it for the next generation, and having them coming through, that is just that full-circle moment.

"We're leaving this in good hands."

Unveiling a taonga

Reflection this Matariki has not only been about music.

Over the past year, Kingi has also completed one of the most significant personal milestones of his life, receiving his mataora - a journey he says strengthened his Māori identity.

"I'm a direct descendant of Patuone, and I'm the first one of our line to have mataora, so that was quite powerful."

Fittingly for a story centred on Matariki, the upper section of Kingi's mataora includes Āutahi (Canopus), one of the brightest stars in the night sky and an important celestial marker in Māori astronomy.

"It was a little bit scary, because once you fill up the top there, that's it, that's your face, it's done.

"You can't hide it now. You're unapologetically Māori now for the rest of your life. And I wouldn't have it any other way."

In 2025, Kingi received the lower half of his mataora in Te Tai Tokerau before completing the upper section just weeks ago.

Although he does not whakapapa to Te Whānau-a-Apanui, he was gifted the upper design in recognition of relationships built over more than two decades through kapa haka and friendship.

"They said, 'This is our gift to you,'" he said.

Kingi first became connected to the haka rōpū Te Taumata o Apanui as a young teenager and later returned to stand with them at Te Matatini in 2025.

"I had no connection to my them for a long time until Rob [Ruha] got me back into kapa haka. That's connected my kids back into it too. My son's performing, my kids want to perform for the same group.

"Hononga (connection) doesn't have to just be blood. It can be through your friendships that you build, through your communities."

For those beginning their own journey of reconnecting with their culture, Kingi hopes they know they do not need permission.

"You don't have to wait for permission," he said.

"If you have Māori blood, you have connections to this. It's not beyond you."

'Be true to yourself'

As another Matariki arrives, Kingi believes the next generation already has everything it needs.

"Be true to yourself...Be unafraid," he said.

"We have amazing stories to tell and lean into your Māoritanga or whatever, whether you're Māori, whether you're Samoan, whatever your culture is, lean into it because that's what makes you unique. That's what's going to help you stand out from everybody else."

Identity is not something to hide from, but something to create from, Kingi said.

"Step into your culture. That's where your magic powers are."

"Be true to yourself."