"[2] Te Vaka is a group of musicians and dancers with origins from various Polynesian backgrounds (including Tokelau, Tuvalu, Samoa and New Zealand) that formed in 1997, under the leadership of award-winning songwriter, Opetaia Foaʻi.

That year, they released their eponymous debut album through ARC Music, a UK/European record company.

Their follow-up album, Ki Mua, was released through Warm Earth Records, and went #1 on world music charts and mainstream radio in the South Pacific.

In 2015, the band was selected by Walt Disney Pictures to contribute to the soundtrack of the 2016 animated film Moana.

[2] Most of their songs are written in the Tokelauan language, reflecting the heritage of band founder, singer, and main songwriter, Opetaia Foaʻi.