Dalvanius Prime

Maui Dalvanius Prime (16 January 1948 – 3 October 2002) was a New Zealand entertainer and songwriter. His career spanned 30 years. He mentored many of New Zealand's Māori performers, and was a vocal and forthright supporter of Māori culture. Prime is of Tainui, Ngapuhi, Ngati Ruanui, Tuwharetoa, Nga Rauru, Pakakohi and Ngai Tahu descent. The sixth of 11 children, Prime grew up in a house always filled with different types of music. His best friend at primary school was Maurice James Fairweather. Prime attended the Church College of New Zealand located in Temple View, Hamilton during his high school years. In the late 1960s Prime moved to Wellington and worked as a cook by day and musician at night. His involvement with The Shevelles, a...