Troy Kingi Celebrates Matariki with Family and Final Stage of 10-10-10 Music Project

On Friday 10 July 2026, musician Troy Kingi shared his reflections on Matariki, describing the period as a vital time to honour those who have passed and to cherish living relatives. Speaking to RNZ, Kingi compared the Māori New Year to the film Coco, noting that his whānau uses the time to share stories of loved ones, including his wife’s sister. He encouraged others to visit their elders while they are still present, specifically mentioning his own grandmother. The multi-award-winning storyteller is currently nearing the end of his ambitious “10-10-10” kaupapa—a goal to release ten albums in ten different genres over ten years. Kingi revealed that the final album in this series is scheduled to be recorded at the world-renowned Abbey Road Studios in London next month. Having started the project over a decade ago after spending his 20s writing songs while working full-time, he admits he has not yet fully processed the scale of the achievement. Legacy is a central theme for Kingi this Matariki. On Friday night, he was set to perform at Ngā Reo o te Rangi alongside two of his daughters, aged 18 and 12. Kingi joked that the performance was an "audition" for the family, but noted the deeper significance of the moment. He told RNZ that following the release of his final project, he intends to retire as "Troy Kingi, the artist," viewing the transition of his children onto the stage as a full-circle moment for the next generation. Despite the pressure of finishing his ten-year commitment, Kingi remains focused on the spiritual and family-oriented aspects of the season. He noted that while the project’s timeline has slightly lapsed, his priority remains ensuring the final work is a fitting conclusion to a career defined by bold creative risks and a commitment to his whānau and Māori identity.