Herbs

Herbs are a New Zealand reggae group founded in 1979. Since its foundation Herbs has been multi-ethnic in membership and featured Samoans, Tongans, Cook Islanders, New Zealand Europeans and Māori members. Herbs was led by singer-guitarist Dilworth Karaka, the main founding member who remained with the band since its inception, until his death in March 2026. The 11th inductees into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame, were once described as "New Zealand's most soulful, heartfelt and consistent contemporary musical voice". It has been said their debut EP What's Be Happen? "set a standard for Pacific reggae which has arguably never been surpassed". The band has always been political, with links to the Polynesian Panthers and the cover of What's Be Happen (released during the 1981 Springbok tour) being an aerial photo of police action at Bastion Point in 1978. As well as race relations, the band took a strong stance on nuclear weapons in the Pacific with "French Letter". Herbs produced a stream of reggae hits with some of the country's top talent. In the 1980s and the first half of the '90s, Herbs had 10 top 20 singles hits. Herbs also worked alongside UB40, Taj Mahal, Billy Preston, Neil Sedaka, Tina Turner, Neil Young, George Benson, Joe Walsh and Stevie Wonder. Herbs' music is upbeat and clear in its messages. Their 1982 New Zealand hit "French Letter", which spent 11 weeks on the charts, expressed New Zealand's anti-nuclear stance. Fourteen years later, it was re-recorded to garner support for the prevention of nuclear testing at Mururoa. Similarly, "No Nukes (The Second Letter)", "Nuclear Waste" and "Light of the Pacific" expressed much the same sentiment. Herbs' third release and first full album Long Ago, which featured the 1984 single of the same name, was produced by well-known New Zealand bass player Billy Kristian. In 1986, former Be-Bop Deluxe bassist/vocalist Charlie Tumahai joined the group, having been a session musician for various international acts. In 1986, "Slice of Heaven" with Dave Dobbyn reached number one on both the New Zealand and Australian charts. In 1989 they played on Tim Finn's hit "Parihaka" and in 1992 Annie Crummer fronted the hit single "See What Love Can Do." Around this time the band forged into producing, providing instrumentation for Samoan singing sensation John Parker. The album titled Another Girl produced a local hit, a reggae-funk inspired cover of the Maori folk song "E Papa". In 1989, the band was assisted by Eagles member Joe Walsh, who produced, played slide guitar and sang on the band's Homegrown album, which featured a cover of "Walk Away Renee", originally recorded by The Left Banke. Walsh announced he had joined Herbs, but the union lasted less than a year. Walsh gives credit to the members taking him to 'the ruins at Hawke's Bay', where he had 'a moment of clarity' – for inspiring him to pursue sobriety. They also provided two songs to the 1990 film, The Shrimp on the Barbie: A cover of the Peggy Lee song "Mañana (Is Good Enough for Me)" and "Listen". Herbs are considered pioneers of the Pacific reggae sound, having paved the way for contemporary New Zealand reggae groups such as Fat Freddy's Drop, Katchafire, The Black Seeds, and Trinity Roots. Although their last album of new material was released in 1990, Herbs still perform in New Zealand and Australia, with guitarist Dilworth Karaka the last remaining member of the original line-up that released What's Be Happen? in 1981. Of the 2013 line-up, keyboardist Tama Lundon (joined 1983) remains from the band's late 1980s commercial peak. "Homegrown" is featured on the soundtrack of Once Were Warriors. Thomas Nepia died in February 2018, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Tama Renata died in November that same year. Dilworth Karaka, the primary founding member who remained with the band since its inception, died on 7 March 2026, aged 75. Dilworth Karaka (deceased) – founder, leader, and singer-guitarist Tama Lundon (deceased) - vocals/keyboards Toni Fonoti – vocals/percussion Spencer Fusimalohi – vocals/guitar Fred Faleauto (deceased) – vocals/drums Dave Pou – bass guitar John Berkley – bass guitar Phil Toms – vocals/bass guitar Morrie Watene – vocals/saxophone Alan Foulkes – percussion Carl Perkins (deceased) – vocals/percussion Jack Allen – vocals/bass guitar Willie Hona – (deceased) vocals/guitar Charlie Tumahai (deceased) – vocals/bass guitar Gordon Joll – drums Joe Walsh – vocals/guitar Kristen Hapi – drums Juanito Muzzio – percussion Grant Pukeroa – vocals/drums Max Hohepa – vocals/bass guitar Lionel Nelson – vocals Ned Webster – drums Ryan Monga – drums Tama Renata (deceased) – vocals/guitar Thom Nepia (deceased) - vocals/percussion The New Zealand Music Awards are awarded annually by the RIANZ in New Zealand. The Aotearoa Music Awards (previously known as New Zealand Music Awards (NZMA)) are an annual awards night celebrating excellence in New Zealand music and have been presented annually since 1965. Kara, Scott (22 November 2008). "Politics, peace and love (stories behind 5 songs as told by Karaka)". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 26 June 2014. Chris Spencer, Who's Who of Australian Rock, second edition, Five Mile Press, 1989, ISBN 0-86788-213-1 Philip Hayward (editor), Sound Alliances: Indigenous Peoples, Cultural Politics and Popular Music in the Pacific, Cassell, 1998, ISBN 0-304-70050-9 "HERBS, NEW ZEALAND'S POLITICISED REGGAE REVOLUTION INTO THE HALL OF FAME(2012): Hard tings an' times". Elsewhere. Graham Reid. 2 September 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2012. "'French letter' by Herbs". NZHistory. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 14 October 2012. "MILESAGO – Obituaries – Charlie Tumahai". Milesago.com. Retrieved 16 September 2018. "HERBS HISTORY". Glenmoffatt.com. Retrieved 16 September 2018. "Episode 942 – Joe Walsh". Wtfpod.com. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018. "Herbs singer leaves behind great musical legacy". New Zealand: Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 9 March 2026. "Once Were Warriors' composer Tama Renata a 'musical genius'". New Zealand: Stuff. Retrieved 5 November 2018. "Herbs frontman Dilworth Karaka has died". Stuff. 8 March 2026. Archived from the original on 8 March 2026. Retrieved 8 March 2026. "Herbs frontman Dilworth Karaka dies". RNZ. 7 March 2026. Retrieved 10 March 2026. "HERBS IN NEW ZEALAND CHARTS". charts.nz. Retrieved 1 July 2013. "NZMAs". Nzmusicawards.co.nz. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012. "HOME INDUCTEES". musichall.co.nz. Retrieved 16 August 2021. Herbs discography at Discogs Herbs at IMDb