He Iwi Tahi Tātou was commissioned by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of Captain Cook's landing in Aotearoa New Zealand and, more specifically, Governor William Hobson's greeting to the Maori chiefs as they came forward to sign the Treaty of Waitangi - "He Iwi Tahi Tātou" ("We are all one people").
Gareth Farr is an indisputably colourful figure in New Zealand music. And whether scored for percussion duet or the resources of two large orchestras, Farr's music reflects his personality – bold, brash, or delicate and sensuous, but inevitably, immediately, engaging. Rhythmic elements of his compositions can be linked to the complex and exciting rhythms of Rarotongan log drum ensembles, Balinese gamelan and other percussion music of the Pacific Rim. In addition to his music for the concert chamber, Farr has written music for dance, theatre and television.
