Inspired by Te Taiao (the natural world), the collection has seen Casual Healing release four carefully curated EPs embodying the elements: WAI (water), AHI (fire), HAU (wind), and now completing the cycle, ONE (earth) – pronounced awe-ne. The series has signalled a bold new creative chapter for Nikau, met with acclaim and warmth from listeners and media across Aotearoa. The series sees Casual Healing express his artistry, grounded in timeless songwriting, rich musicianship, and a deep commitment to spiritual and human connection.
Rounding out the four, ONE is a six-track, live and soulful five-track project that sees Casual Healing return to the roots of Reggae and Soul, recorded using a traditional approach – one band, one room, capturing the natural energy and unity of musicians playing together in real time.
Previously released tracks from ONE – ‘Tell The Truth’ and ‘People’ – set the tone perfectly. ‘People’, a soulful redemption song built on acoustic guitar, poetry and raw vocal honesty, centres on connection, spirit and social awareness, with Nikau Te Huki calling out exploitation and urging deeper collective reflection. Following this, ‘Tell The Truth’ moves into a live, full-band Roots/Reggae setting, born from a personal moment of reckoning and a commitment to honesty, channeling warmth, urgency and unity through its traditional one-room recording approach with an 11-piece band at Massey Studio. Together, the two tracks reflect both the introspective and communal pillars of ONE.
Casual Healing’s goal throughout these four EPs and his entire discography is to send a message of unity through music. His lyrics speak to the times, giving shape to some of the widely assumed beliefs of our age – which can instill hope for the listener that we are all in this together.
“ONE is the end of one chapter and the beginning of another as we discover higher and wider what it means to be human in the 21st century. Keep your eyes on Casual Healing as we witness music return to its natural mode of bringing many people together”. – Nikau Te Huki
The recording party was a collective of masterful instrumentalist from around the world, Including Luther Hunt on drumkit, Becky Devine on bass, Samson Lenati on piano keyboards, Joseph Jenkins on electric guitar, Matiu Te Huki and Rudy Matoy on backing vocals, Jordan Gray on percussion, Kaito Walley on trombone, Misty Cooke on trumpet and Toby Leman on saxophone. The EP was recorded live at Massey’s ‘Te ahumairangi’ studio under the skillful guidance of Mike Gibson and apprentice Riva C. All songs were recorded live in one take with minimal overdubs to create that magical feeling of live music.
For over a decade, Nikau Te Huki has embedded spiritual depth and emotional intimacy into his artistry, creating music shaped by lived experience and personal growth. His solo project Casual Healing made a stunning breakthrough with his 2024 album DRIFTWOOD, which led to sold-out tours and standout performances at SXSW Sydney, Rhythm & Vines, TSB Festival of Lights and more.
With the release of ONE timely falling on the first day of Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa // NZ Music Month 2026, Casual Healing continues to blaze a trail nationwide to indigenise and revitalise the practise of puoro (music), advocating for artists across all mediums to be valued as essential practitioners – reminding the world that, as he says, “it’s art that makes the world go around.”
On next steps, Nikau says: “After ONE, I want to tour the latest works globally. Time to take the healing to the people.”
