Clayton Hiku

Ko Ngā Puhi te iwi

Ko Clayton Hiku tōku ingoa

Clayton Hiku is a Christchurch musician and artist who has been a regular in the music scene for the last 20 years. Since graduating with a Bachelors of Music through Ara (formerly CPIT) and the University of Canterbury, Clayton has become one of the foremost bass players, performers and educators in Christchurch. A regular in the local band scene, Clayton has performed at many New Zealand jazz and contemporary festivals. Most recently Clayton performed as part of Ngā Reo Tioriori at the Christchurch Big Band festival as one of the first fully te reo Māori jazz big band concerts.

As a member of the band Soulsystem, Clayton has toured all round New Zealand in support of acts such as The Black Seeds, Salmonella Dub, Katchafire, The Feelers, Opshop, and many more.

Clayton has regularly performed in musical theatre groups as a musician over the last 20 years. He has played in many shows for Showbiz, NASDA and most recently was one of the tutors and band performers in Cashmere High’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar. This is however, Clayton’s first show with the Court Theatre.

Currently, Clayton works as the Assistant Head of Music at Cashmere High running the Jazz and Contemporary music programmes there. Clayton has a passion for raising Māori achievement through the inclusive use of te reo Māori and Puoro Māori (Māori music) in education.