Corrella

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