Maui Dalvanius Prime (16 January 1948 – 3 October 2002) was a New Zealand entertainer and songwriter. His career spanned 30 years. He mentored many of New Zealand's Māori performers, and was a vocal and forthright supporter of Māori culture.

Early life Born and raised in Pātea, Prime was of Tainui, Ngāpuhi, Ngati Ruanui, Tuwharetoa, Ngā Rauru, Pakakohi and Ngāi Tahu descent. The sixth of 11 children, Prime grew up in a musical household. He attended the Church College of New Zealand located in Temple View, Hamilton during his high school years.

Career In the late 1960s, Prime moved to Wellington and worked as a cook by day and musician at night. His involvement with the Shevelles, a Māori female vocal trio from Porirua, led to several trips to Australia.

In 1970, Prime travelled to Australia, and in 1973 he performed at the opening of the Sydney Opera House. The dismissal of Australia's Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in 1975 inspired the song Canberra, We're Watching You, a cover of Washington, We're Watching You by the Staple Singers with lyrics adapted to the situation.

In 1983 he formed his own production company, Maui Records. And he became increasingly involved with Māori music. In 1983, Prime recorded the single "Poi E" with the Pātea Māori Club. The single reached number one in New Zealand in 1984 and was later certified 3× Platinum. The song was later included on the Pātea Māori Club album Poi E, released in 1987.

He appeared in the film Te Rua in 1990 and sang the theme song "Chudka Pā Poy", which is about apartheid.

He also worked closely with Ngoi Pēwhairangi, who helped develop Te Kohanga Reo, Māori language pre-school system. He provided the music for many of her lyrics.

Advocacy Later, Prime became a campaigner for the return of mokomokai (preserved, tattooed human heads) from overseas museums.

Prime was an advocate for young people involved in court cases and victims of domestic violence.

At the 1999 general election, Prime stood for the Piri Wiri Tua Movement in the Te Tai Hauāuru electorate, placing seventh. During the campaign he endorsed Ken Mair who was running for the affiliated Mana Māori Movement.

Death Prime died in 2002 in Hāwera after a long battle with cancer. He was buried in his family urupa at Nukumaru, South Taranaki, New Zealand.

Discography Albums Title Album details Peak chart positions NZ Poi E Released: 1987 Label: Maui Records, WEA, Jayrem Records Format: CD, vinyl, cassette — A Man of Passion Released: 2 May 2003 Label: Maui Records, Jayrem Format: CD 21 "—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Extended plays Title Album details Souvenir Released: 1973 Label: Reprise Records Format: 7-inch Christmas with Dalvanius and the Fascinations Released: 1973 Label: Reprise Format: 7-inch

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album NZFor Pātea Māori Club releases:. For "The New Zealand Expo Song": "Love Train" / "Chapel of Love" 1973 — Souvenir "Wiley" 1974 — rowspan="4" "Canberra, We're Watching You" 1975 — "Voodoo Lady" / "Checkmate on Love" 1977 — "Ecstasy" 1978 — "Poi E" 1983 1 RMNZ: 3× Platinum Poi E "Aku Raukura"1984 10 RMNZ: Gold "Hei Konei Ra (Farewell)" 21 "E Papa" 1985 41 "Give Them Life" 1985 — "Ka Huri" 1986 — Poi E "Haere Mai" — Ngati Original Soundtrack "Ngoi Ngoi" 1988 — Poi E "The New Zealand Expo Song (God Defend New Zealand)" 1988 47 In the Land of the Long White Cloud "Chudka Pa Poy" 1990 — rowspan="2" "White Christmas" / "Mary's Boy Child" 1992 — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Production and songwriting credits + List of songs written or co-written for other artists, showing year released and album name Title Year Artist(s) Album "One Man Band" 1969 The Shevelles rowspan="2" "Maoris on 45"1982 The Consorts "Don't Think You Remember Me" Prince Tui Teka The Man, the Music, the Legend "Let's Fall in Love" "Hold on Tight" "E Ipo" "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" "One by One" "Walking in the Sun (Even a Blind Man)" "Fool Over You" "Only You and You Alone" "A Real Love" "There Are More Questions Than Answers" "Maori Battalion Triolgy: Te Piriti / Maori Battalion" "Party Time"1983 Taste of Bounty rowspan="2" "Runnin' & Hiding" Tama Band "Kua Makona" 1986 Moana Kua Makona / Tahi "I Have Loved Me a Man" 1990 Mika X

Notes

References

External links Obituary: Dalvanius Prime - New Zealand Herald AudioCulture profile