Dalvanius Prime

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Delvanius Prime

Background information
Birth name	Maui Dalvanius Prime
Also known as	Delvanius
Born	January 16, 1948
Origin	New Zealand
Died	October 3, 2002
Years active	1975-2002

Maui Dalvanius Prime (January 16, 1948 – October 3, 2002) was a New Zealand entertainer and songwriter.

[edit] History

The sixth of 11 children, who during the 1950s grew up in a house always filled with different types of music and listening to the likes of Fats Domino, Elvis and The Drifters, Dalvanius Prime was one of Aotearoa-New Zealand's most popular musical figures.

In the late 60s he moved to Wellington and worked as a cook by day and musician at night. His involvement with The Shevelles, a Maori female vocal trio from Porirua, lead to several trips to Australia.

In 1970, Dalvanius travelled to Australia and performed at the opening of the Sydney Opera House The resignation of Australia's Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in 1975 inspired the song Canberra, We're Watching You.

In the 1980s Dalvanius fever swept New Zealand with the phenomenal success of Poi E recorded with the Patea Māori club.

He appeared in the film Te Rua in the 1990 and sang the theme song Chudka Pā Poy which was about Apartheid.

He also worked closely with Ngoi Pehwairangi, who helped develop Te Kohanga Reo, Māori Language pre-school system - providing the music for many of her inspired lyrics.

Later, Dalvanius became a campaigner for the return of Moko Mokai (preserved, tattooed human heads) from overseas museums.

A familiar face to television audiences, he appeared as a guest on several TV Shows including Radio Te wha waho and The Life and times of Tetutu.

In the 1990s his memorable performances as Father Christmas at Christmas in the Park celebrations brought him appeal and fans everywhere. He died in Hawera in 2002 after a long battle with cancer.