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Corrella is an eight-member New Zealand roots reggae band. Formed in 2017 by members of the Royal New Zealand Navy in the North Shore, Auckland, suburb of Belmont, the group came to prominence in New Zealand in 2023 with the single "Blue Eyed Māori". Lead singer Pipiwharauroa Campbell grew up speaking Māori as his first language, and the band has released two songs in te reo Māori, "Raumati" (2022) and "Ko Au (I Am Me)" (2023).

Biography

Corrella was formed in 2017 in Belmont on the North Shore of Auckland, among members of the Royal New Zealand Navy serving at the Devonport Naval Base. The band's name is a reference to the navy personnel housing on Corrella Road in Belmont where the band members practised. The group is predominantly Māori, with some members who are Pasifika and Pākehā. The original line-up featured guitarist Moresby Kainuku, who was also involved with the Navy.

The group debuted in 2020 with the single "Summertime in Aotearoa". Originally planning to release their debut album in the same year, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed these plans, and instead the group released their debut extended play, Corrella EP, in 2021.

In 2023, the band released the song "Ko Au (I Am Me)", the group's second song recorded in Māori. The song was written by lead singer Pipiwharauroa Campbell about his own experiences with rediscovering pride in his cultural identity. The song topped the te reo Māori singles chart in New Zealand.

Corrella released their debut album Road from 26 in May 2023. The song "Blue Eyed Māori" became a sleeper hit in New Zealand, reaching number one on the New Zealand artists' singles chart, and became one of the most aired and streamed songs in New Zealand for 2023.

Artistry

The band's songs are primarily written by Pipiwharauroa Campbell and Te Naawe Tupe. Many of their songs are inspired by their experiences as Navy personnel on overseas tours.

Personal lives

Band members Ngawaiwera and Pipiwharauroa Campbell are siblings, who were raised in Tauranga speaking Māori as their first language, learning English at school. The Campbells' cousin is singer Stan Walker, who was their next-door neighbour growing up.

Pipiwharauroa Campbell worked at Te Taua Moana Marae at the Devonport Naval Base, and currently is a cultural advisor. Drummer Tom "Ulu" Scrase is originally from Wellington, while Te Naawe Tupe is from Whakatāne. Rebekah Brady, originally from Papakura, worked as a drama and dance teacher at Diocesan School for Girls, ACG Strathallan, and managed performing arts programmes at Wellington Region schools Tawa Intermediate School and Hutt Intermediate School. Taulu Schuster is a church minister in South Auckland, and Codi Wehi-Ngati previously worked as an electronic technician.

Band members

• Rebekah Brady (Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi) – vocalist
• Ngawaiwera Campbell (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti He, Ngāti Pūkenga) – vocalist
• Pipiwharauroa Campbell (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti He, Ngāti Pūkenga) – lead singer
• Joshua Faletutulu – lead guitarist
• Taula Schuster (Samoan, Niuean) – piano, keyboard
• Tom "Ulu" Scrase – drummer and taonga pūoro performer
• Te Naawe Tupe (Ngāi Tūhoe) – rhythm guitarist, hype man
• Codi Wehi-Ngati (Ngāti Maniapoto) – bass guitarist

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

Other charted songs

Notes

1. The Corrella EP did not enter the NZ Artists Top 20 Albums Chart on release, but peaked at number 13 on the NZ Artists Catalogue Albums Chart.
2. "Summertime in Aotearoa" did not enter the NZ Artists Top 20 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 15 on the NZ Artists Hot Singles Chart.
3. "Chur Māori" did not enter the NZ Artists Top 20 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 17 on the NZ Artists Hot Singles Chart.
4. "Ko Au (I Am Me)" did not enter the NZ Artists Top 20 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 7 on the NZ Artists Hot Singles Chart.
5. "Whisky" did not enter the NZ Artists Top 20 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 12 on the NZ Artists Hot Singles Chart.
6. "Lady Divine" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 18 on the Hot Singles Chart.
7. "Lady Divine" did not enter the NZ Artists Top 20 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 5 on the NZ Artists Hot Singles Chart.
8. "How Will I Know" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 18 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.

References

1. ^ "New Roots Band Corrella to Release Debut Single: Summertime in Aotearoa". MMF. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
2. ^ "NZ Live: Corrella". 26 May 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
3. ^ "NZ's Corrella drop fun and powerful debut album – Road from 26". New Zealand Music Commission. 26 May 2023. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
4. ^ "Beach helps band capture that Kiwi summer vibe". The Devonport Flagstaff. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
5. ^ "Corrella Bio". muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
6. "Corrella Release Empowering Te Reo Māori Waiata 'Ko Au'". muzic.net.nz. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
7. "20 May 2023". Official NZ Music Charts. Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
8. Van Soest, Sophie (15 December 2023). "WATCH: Corrella Perform Their New Track 'Lady Divine' Live At The Edge". The Edge. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
9. ^ Luke, Candice (1 May 2023). "Waiata Anthems: 'I tried to be as Pākeha as I could' - Corrella lead singer returns to Māori roots". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
10. "Meet dance and drama teacher: Rebekah Brady". ACG Strathallan. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
11. Peaks on the NZ Artists Albums chart:
    • "Official Top 20 NZ Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 1 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
    • "Official Top 20 Aotearoa Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
12. "Corrella - EP". iTunes. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
13. "Official NZ Catalogue Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 4 December 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
14. "Discography Corrella". Recorded Music NZ. Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
15. Peak positions for Corrella's singles on the NZ Artists singles chart:
    • For "Blue Eyed Māori": "NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
16. "Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 7 December 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
17. "Corrella 'Chur Māori'". MMF. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
18. "Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 22 March 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
19. Rowland, Kev (31 March 2022). "Corrella - Single Review: Seafarer". muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
20. ^ "Corrella Release New Summer Hit 'Skankin'". New Zealand Music Commission. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
21. MB, Kerry (4 April 2023). "Corrella - Single Review: Little Circles". muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
22. "Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
23. ^ "Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
24. "Corrella - Blue Eyed Māori". Mai FM. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
25. "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
26. "New Zealand single certifications". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
27. "Locals Only - Corrella 'Lady Divine'". ZM. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
28. "Hot 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
29. "Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
30. "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
31. "Corrella release new single, 'All There Is' from upcoming new album, 'Skeletons' - out November 29". Muzic. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
32. "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.

• 2017 establishments in New Zealand
• Royal New Zealand Navy personnel
• Māori-language singers
• Musical groups established in 2017
• Musical groups from Auckland
• New Zealand Māori musical groups
• New Zealand musical groups
• New Zealand reggae musical groups
• Pacific reggae