Kiwi artists join to release song to encourage people to stay home and save lives

20 Kiwi artists have joined to release a song with one simple goal - encouraging the people "to stay home, to save lives".

The track features artists including Rei, Stan Walker, Kings, Tiki Taane, Anna Coddington, Bailey Wiley, Hollie Smith, Ria Hall, Theia, Fran Kora (Kora), Jackson Owens, Joel Shadbolt (L.A.B), Logan Bell (Katchafire), Pere Wihongi (Maimoa), Rob Ruha & Troy Kingi.

Co-writer Anna Coddington posted on Facebook saying: "Really loved cowriting this song last week over Zoom with the boys from L.A.B & Rob Ruha ❤️Sticking to the plan and staying in our bubbles is getting harder with each week, and seeing the number of cases go down it's tempting to get relaxed on the rules BUT - we gotta stay with it! I'm so grateful for what Aotearoa has achieved so far regarding this virus, considering the devastation in other whenua. We can't let our good work so far be undone. So STAY with it whānau! It isn't forever and we're in this together.". 

The idea for ‘Stay’ originated from Manaaki, a government fund who are part of COVID Command, alongside the Prime Minister’s Department and the key social agencies. Head of the Manaaki team, Anaru Mill, sent a viral clip of a reggae-styled public health announcement to A Te Atawhai Tibble, who suggested NZ artists do one. From there, Nadia Marsh from Te Māngai Pāho engaged Mikee Tucker from Loop to see what could be done.

‘Stay’ is the final result, written, recorded and edited in seven days. The aim of the song and video is to promote the message of “Staying Home to Save Lives”.

100% of the profits of the track are being donated to Music Helps.

Shot team for supporting Kiwi music!