Pōneke-based soulful musician ‘Casual Healing’ (Nikau Te Huki) has released ‘Tell The Truth’, the second single from his final of four EPs, embodying the elements.
AHI (fire), HAU (wind), WAI (water) and completing the ambitious cycle, ONE (earth) in March 2026 are inspired by Te Taiao, the natural world.
‘Tell the Truth’ is the second single from Casual Healing’s EP – ONE (pronounced awe-ne).
The fourth and final chapter of the Elemental series is a timeless live performance of five new songs written by Nikau Te Huki.
In a classic New Zealand Roots/Reggae style, Casual Healing provides the latest chapter of the book with ‘Tell the Truth’. Born from the guilt of telling a lie, this song was written in the hopes of encouraging the truth in our lives.
Recorded by Mike Gibson at Massey Studio – ‘Tell The Truth’ features an 11-piece band including Luther Hunt, Becky Devine, Sammy Lenati, Joseph Jenkins, Matiu Te Huki, Rudy Matoi, Jordan Gray, Toby Leman, Kaito Walley and Mysty Cooke.
Nikau is stoked to have finally broken free from the confines of bedroom recording to produce a full-band sound, live and direct, as an ode to the trailblazers of recorded music.
2025 was a significant year for Casual Healing, as he wrote, recorded, and released his four carefully curated studio EPs, which aim to redefine his creative path and have already been met with acclaim and great warmth.
For over 10 years, Nikau Te Huki has embedded human and spiritual intimacy and connection into the foundation of his artistry. The result has yielded incredible music that mirrors the life experiences loved, lived, and learned from.
Casual Healing made a stunning debut with the 2024 album DRIFTWOOD, which led to sold-out tours and standout performances at SXSW Sydney, Rhythm & Vines, TSB Festival of Lights and more.
He is blazing a trail nationwide to indigenise and revitalise the practise of puoro (music), leading from the heart as an advocate for musicians and artists of all media to be valued as practitioners who provide an essential service, claiming, “it’s art that makes the world go around”.
