Upper Hutt Posse

Upper Hutt Posse are one of the earliest New Zealand hip hop groups, known for their fusion of rap and reggae in both English and Māori.

In November 2018, Upper Hutt Posse were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame - Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa.

A new lineup in 1994 of live musicians produced the 1995 album Movement in Demand, mixing their signature Hiphop style with their reggae roots, and adding the distinctive raggamuffin rap of Wiya.

In 2000 album Mā Te Wā saw the re-introduction of founding member Blue Dread, and also Katarina Kawana who had 'jammed' with the group in their formative years in the mid 1980s.

In 2005, the group released a double album titled Legacy which includes two tracks performed by Te Kupu's daughter Ātaahua, notably a Māori-language version of The Greatest Love of All.

Then in October 2011 the live band album Declaration of Resistance was released, featuring images on its front cover from Te Kupu's six-part rap documentary Ngātahi – Know The Links.

In November 2018 Upper Hutt Posse were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame | Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa.

Te Kupu selected eighteen past and present band members, and additional musicians whose contributions to the group warranted their being recognised: Dean Hapeta, Matthew Hapeta, Aaron Thompson, Darryl Thomson, Bennet Pomana, Teremoana Rapley, Steve Rameka, George Hubbard, Earl Robertson, Kiki Marama, Taki Matete, Katarina Kawana, Ātaahua Hapeta-Taereau, Maaka McGregor, Emma Paki, Des Mallon, Jeff Henderson, Kevin Rangihuna.