Musical Politics: Protest and Dissent in Aotearoa New Zealand

Popular songs play an important role in mobilising political campaigns by creating platforms for voices of protest and dissent the discussion significant issues that questions those power. This research considers have played over past 60 years Aotearoa New Zealand’s postcolonial history. Political messages been embedded musical texts reflecting region’s unique historical cultural development, especially positioning its Pacific peoples (indigenous Māori immigrants from other Islands) processes protest. In 1960s 1970s, when global human rights movements were gaining traction, intense feelings inequities injustices manifested themselves song. land rights, sporting relations with apartheid regime South Africa programme nuclear testing pursued French all major concern, provoking marches, occupations boycotts. The social reforms domestic experienced separation Britain (1947) included a ‘coming out’ difference in’ new influences into music industry waves migration birth local recording (1960–1986). case study features 17 representative recordings cover range themes (racism, tests, climate change discontent) attracted media attention public debate. results presented show how continue to Pacific.