Tokowhā produced a first at the group’s last concert of their New Zealand tour: they got the audience up dancing.

More than 100 music lovers attended the ensemble’s picnic concert performed on the lawn at Carrick Winery on Sunday night (November 27).

The enthusiastic crowd got to their feet for the two encores

“We are thrilled to host music on the lawn with such world-class singers,” Arts Central secretary Brian Reed said.

Tokowhā (meaning ‘four of a kind’), filled the air over Bannockburn with arias from Puccini’s  La bohème and Madame Butterfly; musical favourites from George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance -  interspersed with spine-tingling waiata and pese (Māori and Samoan songs). 

The event was a collaboration between Arts Central and Chamber Music New Zealand. 

The original quartet formed while studying classical singing at the New Zealand School of Music - Te Kōkī. Drawn together by their shared love of singing, the ensemble enjoys bringing accessible, fresh, and diversified programmes to audiences across New Zealand.

At Sunday’s concert, three of the original group ‘LJ’ Crichton (tenor), Matt Barris (baritone/tenor) and Tomairangi Henare (baritone) were joined by baritone Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono, and accompanied by Alex Jefferies on piano.

The event was also a first for the venue, Carrick Winery.  

“We were so pleased to see our locals enjoy themselves and we are looking forward to hosting more,” Carrick co-owner Ali Cleland said.

Arts Central secretary Brian Reed, and Carrick Winery co-owner Ali Cleland 

Cromwell College student Grace Tiko opened for the quartet and was so impressive she has been invited back to Carrick Winery for future performances.  

The sun shone for the event, but these two caused goosebumps: Grace Tiko accompanied by Ash on guitar

Arts Central said it was grateful for the support received from local businesses ITM, Quantum Print, Dunstan Electrical, and HireKing.