The spark for Makaurau arrived unexpectedly during an ordinary day at school. Kydis heard his close friend and fellow boarder, Sam, reciting his whānau’s tauparapara. Where others heard tradition, Kydis heard something deeper—he heard the profound love and connection in Sam’s voice, and instantly felt the melody needed to carry it.
Their bond as full-time boarders meant the foundation of trust was already there. When Kydis later approached Sam with a bold vision—that his sacred family tauparapara could be the centerpiece of a hit song—Sam was shocked, but he didn't hesitate. He trusted Kydis completely.
Securing special leave from school, the duo spent an intense weekend locked away in Kydis’s home studio. Through pure collaboration and shared vision, they laid down the foundational tracks for what would become the beautiful, soul-stirring waiata we hear today.