Herbs Songs of Freedom

Documentary on legendary New Zealand reggae group, Herbs. Celebrates the five men from different islands in the South Pacific who gave voice to a generation and the issues of the time through their music.

The founders of Pacific reggae, Herbs were one of Aotearoa’s most important bands of the 80s. The band had 10 Top 20 singles, and recorded hits with fellow Kiwi legends Dave Dobbyn (‘Slice of Heaven’) and Tim Finn (‘Parihaka’). Though infectiously upbeat, Herbs’ music was always politically conscious (1980 hit ‘French Letter’ became the sound of NZ’s anti-nuclear stance). Herbs featured three vocalists —Dilworth Karaka, Willie Hona, and the late Charlie Tumahai. In 2008, the band reconvened for 30th anniversary compilation Lights Of The Pacific: The Very Best Of Herbs.