Kaea Hills (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Ūpokorehe) is the star of his own documentary following his journey of self-discovery and acceptance. 
He talked to kaupapa Māori reporter Mātai O’Connor.
Kaea Hills was surrounded by kapa haka and waiata from an early age which inspired him to take his own path in the world of music.
He was born in Gisborne, but grew up in Ruatōrea, and would go between Muriwai and the East Coast town because “similar to many of us who live here, I whakapapa to mutiple places and connect pretty easily”.
He can remember being hooked on some Māori waiata and not knowing they were written by “Queens of the Coast” such as Moehau Reedy, Ngoi Pēwhairangi and Tuini Ngāwai; and then finding out later that for some waiata there is a Pākehā version.
“But I always like the Māori versions better,” he said.
Kaea, 22, grew up around musicians who also happened to be his papas.
“My sister and I started doing guitar and ukulele lessons with papa Rewa McClutchie in Ruatōrea. He actually produced our first CD which we still have today,” he said.
“My papa Solomon Pōhatu was a star in his own right. I was blessed to learn a few things from this maestro.
“Lastly, my grandparents were involved in their own band and I was always trying to outsing their lead singer at the practices.
“So how can I not want to follow a path my tīpuna have followed, and I’ve seen people I admire follow as well. It’s always been a dream of mine to be creative in many aspects.”
Kaea went to Whakarua Kōhanga Reo, then to Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Waiū o Ngāti Porou for primary and intermediate and then Lytton High School.
In 2019, he became a part of Ka Hao Tira Waiata, a rangatahi choir representing Te Tai Rāwhiti.
In 2021, they released their first album featuring their hit single 35, which won the Radio Airplay Song of the Year and Best Emerging Artist at the 2022 Māori Music Awards.
It also won Te Māngai Pāho Mana Reo Award at the Aotearoa Music Awards.
35 then went on to win the grand prize Kaitito Kaiaka at the 2022 Apra Silver Scroll Awards.
It was also nominated for the Single of the Year at the Aotearoa Music Awards and for the Best Single at the 2022 Rolling Stones Awards.
The album has reached its own successes as well being nominated for Best Group and Best Roots Artist and taking out the Best Māori Artist award at the 2022 Aotearoa Music Awards.
Kaea co-wrote four of the songs on the album, including the hit award-winning song 35.
Kaea is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Ka Hao and will continue to perform with the group. However, he also wants to pursue a solo career and Beautiful Boy is the start of that new journey.
Beautiful Boy is the name of a documentary and also a waiata and music video he has created.
In the documentary, he has kōrero with people who inspire him and share similar perspectives.
“I was fortunate to have had some amazing conversations with people I am inspired by; who are similar to me; to get their perspectives on life. These kōrero have helped me put my life into perspective and really helped me lift my head higher on my journey,” Kaea said.
“The waiata was written as though it was a message from my grandmothers for my safe journey in life.
“I hope this waiata has impact — that it can be universal in the way it makes people feel. I want it to open a space for people to reflect on their lives or certain situations in their life with sympathy.
“Though this song is about my personal journey of self discovery, and breaking down those barriers within myself to be on a stronger path in life, I feel the words can connect with any Beautiful Boy, or anyone who has a son/brother/uncle/papa in their lives, as this path of self discovery is one we all take in life.
“I want to uplift, inspire and motivate kids who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community who may be finding it hard on their journey of self-discovery.
“My intention behind making this documentary was to explore my own identity by documenting my journey.
“I hope it sparks conversations in whānau, to help and encourage whānau to challenge their own whakaaro, to help and encourage other individuals on their journey to understand that they are not alone because it can very much feel that way,” he said.
In 2021 he felt he needed to dive into this kaupapa and go on a journey of self discovery because he felt he was holding himself back from where he wanted to be in life.
He said he was privileged to talk to people whose personal journeys inspired him and were similar to his. This included his whānau such as Tiffany Wayne and Hillz Kāhaki who shared their experiences growing up on the coast.
“Also, I spoke with the fabulous Pere Wihongi (presenter, entertainer, kapa haka professional). These conversations gave me a new perspective on my life, and forced me to look into myself and gave me the direction and hope that I will get to where I want to be.
“From the documentary I hope people take away that we are all human at the end of the day and we are all figuring out how to manage our own struggles in life. We are all human.
“I hope people connect and relate with the waiata in the way where they see it as a reflection of their own personal journeys.”
The kaupapa is produced by Te Amokura Productions founded by Fiona Apanui-Kupenga. Kaea is grateful to Fiona for helping make this all possible.
The single Beautiful Boy is out on May 23 and will be available on all streaming services.
The documentary is being aired in two parts on Whakaata Māori. Part one was aired on Tuesday and the second part is airing this Tuesday at 7.30pm. It is also available to watch on Māori +, the on-demand website of Whakaata Māori.
