When the idea of “wā kāinga” was mentioned to me, I immediately wanted to write a playlist on songs that give you the sense of home and warmth. This is my opinion though, please remember that, and I’m sure you’ve got other songs that remind you of home. With that out of the way, home to me is kai, it’s the feeling I get being around all my aunties laughing and carrying on. There’s never any silence – everyones so fucking loud. 

It Only Happens – Renee Geyer

If someone busts out the guitar, bet your stink ass that I’m going to be singing this with my cuzzies. Now it’s a love song forsure but the feeling you get singing this as an acoustic masterpiece is unmatched by many. There’s something about the growl in her voice with smooth jazz sounds that scratches my brain. 

Is this love – Bob Marley (king)

Fuck yes. No home is complete without Bobby boy singing me softly to sleep. Or it’s the highlight of the night as all fears are pushed aside and you’re met with swaying and singing. I can’t help but get warm fuzzies from this jam, thinking about being in Aussie and visiting my whānau for the first time. While an experience that’s mine alone, surely you all can relate to the vibes I’m currently experiencing.

Wake up – Aaradhna

While a newer one on this list, it’s aptly named considering my māmā played this when it was popping every Saturday morning to get us out of bed. Mind you it was 2013 and I would leave home not long after, this song has always found its way onto my Saturday morning cleaning playlist. Aaradhna, mana wāhine, I love you so much.

I’m Going Back Home – Nina Simone

Basically Miss Nina is singing about all the things she didn’t get to experience in her childhood, and it burns its way directly into my soul. The perfect mix of soulful lyrics and upbeat swing tune, those two together get me fucking pumped as. My Nan loved Nina Simone more than any wāhine on this planet. More than she loved  me, but we don’t talk about that. 

Ok Love You Bye – Olivia Dean

Okay okay not nostalgic, I know, but Olivia Dean has a grip on me currently and I’m genuinely in shock that no one is talking about this girl. This song is left field hitter (sports reference maybe) but it evokes the same emotions as the others on my list my friends. Ask me in 6 months and I’ll probably be over it but currently it makes me feel at home.