Marlon Williams, an acclaimed musician and cultural advocate, is on a mission to revive te reo Māori, a language at risk of fading from the consciousness of New Zealand’s society. Williams is a proud member of Ngāi Tahu and Ngāi Tai iwi. He fuses his Māori culture with his Pākehā identity to motivate youth like himself, disconnected from their ancestry. His latest endeavors, including the release of an album entirely in te reo Māori titled Te Whare Tīwekaweka and a revealing documentary named Marlon Williams: Two Worlds – Ngā Ao E Rua, showcase his commitment to preserving Māori culture through music.
Now looking ahead, Williams hopes his quest can inspire the many people who have lost touch with their culture or don’t know where they came from. He deeply acknowledges the shame so many people feel when facing their displaced, dormant, or damaged language. “That sense of shame at having lost it [the language] — it’s not a reason not to do it,” he explained. Rather than seeing this shame as an obstacle, Williams argues that this should be the fuel for the fight to take back one’s identity.
His new album, Tawa Kawori, represents an urgent reclamation of identity and culture. Despite not always singing in te reo Māori, Williams concedes that he is not fluent. Yet he welcomes the struggles that sometimes accompany his reconnection to his cultural heritage. “It’s all the more reason to feel like you’ve got the right to be able to do that and go into that world,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of ownership in reclaiming language.
The documentary Marlon Williams: Two Worlds – Ngā Ao E Rua follows him as he records Te Whare Tīwekaweka, capturing his journey of self-discovery and cultural reconnection. Throughout the film, Williams confronts the complexities of navigating between two worlds—his Māori ancestry and his life as a contemporary artist. The documentary follows his struggle to re-establish connections with his culture and deepen relationships with the community.
Williams is one of a rising number of artists who have been recording songs in Māori. Together, they want to restore the language and its cultural importance. He reflects on the societal pushback against promoting te reo Māori, saying, “After all these fights for revitalisation, you’re seeing a bit of pushback recently against having it be given equal prominence and equal opportunity and equal standing.” This feeling is common among those like Grey who share his commitment to protecting their cultural legacy.
Williams’ unique approach to her craft serves not only as a personal exploration, but as a deeper commentary on what it means to express cultural identity. His faith in language’s transformative potential goes beyond communicative proficiency. “There’s a range of ways that Māori people can still gain meaning even if they’re not necessarily fluent,” said Dr. Julian Rawiri Kusabs, reinforcing the idea that connection to culture can manifest in various forms.
In this regard, Williams’ story is more than just a music tale. It’s about the subtler, day-to-day decisions we all make, often unconsciously, that really form our identities. Ursula Grace Williams, a cultural commentator, echoed this sentiment, stating, “It’s those stories of the everyday — in terms of where we choose to place our time and who we choose to connect with and how we choose to position ourselves within society — those are the things that chip away at discussions and narratives and the context of where we are.”
The challenge of retaking te reo Māori is literal act of grappling with colonial cruelties and internal trauma. “Shame is always there when trying to reclaim a language that has been lost over generations,” Marlon Williams noted, highlighting the emotional weight carried by individuals striving to reconnect with their roots.
Through his music and documentary, Marlon Williams seeks to demonstrate that everyone has the right to engage with their culture. As an artist and activist, he invites everyone to let go of their shame and reclaim their culture. “It’s there and it’s yours by birthright to go into that world,” he asserted.
