Hellhole of the Pacific (HOTP) is a concept album that reclaims and reimagines Aotearoa's narratives through an urban Māori lens. Taking its name from the label once given to Kororāreka (Russell) in the 1830s, a place associated with lawlessness, colonial exploitation and profound cultural upheaval, the album asks a challenging question: how far have we really come if many of the same systemic inequities continue today?

Drawing from the lived experiences of working-class Māori, HOTP examines the enduring impacts of land loss, colonisation and economic marginalisation, while celebrating the resilience of whakapapa, whenua and community. Through a blend of indie rock, taonga pūoro and field recordings, the album creates immersive sonic landscapes that connect personal stories to wider histories.

Inspired by the storytelling traditions of writers such as Witi Ihimaera and Whiti Hereaka, and the uncompromising advocacy of figures like Tame Iti, HOTP embraces creative forms that challenge convention. It invites listeners to engage more deeply with our hītori and pūrākau, not as distant history, but as living narratives that continue to shape who we are and who we might become.