IWI was formed in 1995 to spread messages that assisted in the cultural resurgence & a give better awareness of issues facing tangata whenua. IWI is considered a kaupapa band or a crew who compose conscious music! There are three albums in total which are waiata reo Māori using RnB, Hip Hop and roots, rock, reggae in an attempt to create an appealing product. Including other tracks where members have featured with other artists such as David Grace, Tawaroa, Southside of Bombay, Toni Huata and others. More recently with/as He IWI Ātete | The Resistance.
The new kaupapa which IWI is heading is The Resistance | He IWI Ātete. A collab of creatives using creative expression to send messages of hope and unity in a time where the indigenous perspective is again being minimised. The most recently released track is called TURE KAIKIRI or Racist Law and is by He IWI Ātete featuring IWI.
