Ihi’s popularity grew from a two-man acoustic band that released short YouTube video covers of popular reggae songs, to a fully fledged band in the space of a year. The band has performed at various on-campus events and community festivals. Their music is Aotearoa roots with reggae and soul influences, and they’re working on a fully Te Reo album with Waatea Music, to be released later in 2016.

Ihi frontman (pictured) Thomas Rawiri  (Ngati Paoa, Ngati Kahu & Te Aupouri) is from Tuakau, South Auckland, is 25 and works in Health Services  in the areas of Child and Adolescent Mental Health.