HAVING honed their musical skills while busking in the Far North, the two brothers who form the band Zentarge pay homage to the East Coast in their first single called Balanced.

The Ōpōtiki News spoke to 20-year-old Taaj Te Hauroa Tawhara, who is the band’s lead vocalist and plays guitar.

His 22-year-old brother, Zenith Te Manawanui Tawhara-Crown, also plays guitar and sings.

The brothers are back in Hamilton studying after a long stint up north.

Tawhara said the family moved up north to Kaitaia when he was eight years old.

“We used to busk, fundraise for money, that’s how me and my brother first started playing, getting our confidence,” he said.

“This was about 10 years ago.”

After coming back to Hamilton, the brothers turned their gaze east and started a re-connection with their East Coast side.

“Our connection to Waioweka comes through the Tawhara side, our mother Mica Tawhara,” he said.

“She grew up there and she’s our manager.”

Tawhara said they came over to Ōpōtiki as often as they could.

Through music, they have reconnected to the East Coast vibes, playing at the Ōpōtiki and the Te Kaha RSA.

“We’ve played there a couple of times,” he said

“We also played at the Whakatōhea settlement last year.”

Most recently, Zentarge played at the Ōpōtiki Matariki Festival, where they were supported by family and friends.

Tawhara said Zenith wanted to pursue physiotherapy and related subjects.

“He has just completed a degree in sports science, and he’s started a one-year full Māori language immersion course called Te Tohu Paitahi.

“I am in my third year of music studies here in Hamilton and music is my passion at the moment,” he said.

Tawhara said the band’s tune Balanced was about connecting to the East Coast roots.

He said they did not have a return visit to Ōpōtiki planned at the moment, but would be back for the summer.

In the meantime, he hopes Ōpōtiki folks will keep in touch with what the band is doing through social media.