NZ Reggae Acts Take On Child Abuse

Some of New Zealand’s biggest reggae acts are teaming up to raise money for an anti-child-abuse charity.

The Aotearoa Reggae All Stars project was put together by Rio Panapa of Sons of Zion and Avina Kelekolio of Tomorrow People.

The two bands are joined by 10 other acts including internationally recognised Che Fu, Katchafire, 1814, Three Houses Down, House of Shem and Ria Hall. They recorded a version of NZ reggae pioneers The Herbs’ 1987 track, “Sensitive To A Smile.”

All proceeds go to Mana Ririki, a charity set up in 2007 to prevent child abuse and violent parenting in the Maori and Pacific communities. The track will be released on iTunes June 21.

On the same day, Maori Television will screen a one-hour special on the remaking of the record, including interviews with Mana Ririki ambassadors and with The Herbs’ Dilworth Karaka about the song.