Dalvanius Prime

Template:Use New Zealand English Template:Use dmy dates Template:More citations needed Template:Infobox musical artist 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 Patea, 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, lead to several trips to Australia.

In 1970, Prime travelled to Australia and 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1983 he formed his own production company, Maui Records. And he became increasingly involved with Māori music. In 1984, Prime recorded Poi E with the Pātea Māori Club.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The album was very popular in New Zealand, attaining platinum certification.

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During the campaign he endorsed Ken Mair who was running for the affiliated Mana Māori Movement.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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 <ref name="NZ">Template:Cite web</ref>
Poi E Template:Small	Released: 1987 Label: Maui Records, WEA, Jayrem Records Format: CD, vinyl, cassette	—Template:Efn
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 Template:Small	Released: 1973 Label: Reprise Records Format: 7-inch
Christmas with Dalvanius and the Fascinations Template:Small	Released: 1973 Label: Reprise Format: 7-inch

Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Certifications	Album
		NZ <ref>For Pātea Māori Club releases:Template:Cite web. For "The New Zealand Expo Song": Template:Cite web</ref>
"Love Train" / "Chapel of Love" Template:Small	1973	—		SouvenirTemplate:Efn
"Wiley" Template:Small	1974	—		rowspan="4" Template:N/A
"Canberra, We're Watching You" Template:Small	1975	—
"Voodoo Lady" / "Checkmate on Love" Template:Small	1977	—
"Ecstasy" Template:Small	1978	—
"Poi E" Template:Small	1983	1	RMNZ: 3× Platinum<ref>Template:Cite certification</ref>	Poi E
"Aku Raukura" Template:Small	1984	10	RMNZ: Gold<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
"Hei Konei Ra (Farewell)" Template:Small		21
"E Papa" Template:Small	1985	41
"Give Them Life" Template:Small	1985	—		Template:N/a
"Ka Huri" Template:Small	1986	—		Poi E
"Haere Mai" Template:Small		—		Ngati Original Soundtrack
"Ngoi Ngoi" Template:Small	1988	—		Poi E
"The New Zealand Expo Song (God Defend New Zealand)" Template:Small	1988	47		In the Land of the Long White CloudTemplate:Efn
"Chudka Pa Poy"	1990	—		rowspan="2" Template:N/A
"White Christmas" / "Mary's Boy Child" Template:Small	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" Template:N/a
"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" Template:N/a
"Runnin' & Hiding"		Tama Band
"Kua Makona"	1986	Moana	Kua Makona / Tahi
"I Have Loved Me a Man"	1990	Mika X	Template:N/a

External links

• Obituary: Dalvanius Prime - New Zealand Herald
• AudioCulture profile