Herbs are a New Zealand reggae group founded in 1978. Since its foundation Herbs has been multi-ethnic in membership and featured Samoans, Tongans, Cook Islanders, New Zealand Europeans and Māori members. Herbs was led by singer-guitarist Dilworth Karaka, the main founding member who remained with the band since its inception, until his death in March 2026.

The 11th inductees into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame, were once described as "New Zealand's most soulful, heartfelt and consistent contemporary musical voice".Chris Spencer, Who's Who of Australian Rock, second edition, Five Mile Press, 1989, It has been said their debut EP What's Be Happen? "set a standard for Pacific reggae which has arguably never been surpassed".Philip Hayward (editor), Sound Alliances: Indigenous Peoples, Cultural Politics and Popular Music in the Pacific, Cassell, 1998,

Politics The band has always been political, with links to the Polynesian Panthers and the cover of What's Be Happen (released during the 1981 Springbok tour) being an aerial photo of police action at Bastion Point in 1978. As well as race relations, the band took a strong stance on nuclear weapons in the Pacific with "French Letter".

History Herbs produced a stream of reggae hits with some of the country's top talent. In the 1980s and the first half of the '90s, Herbs had 10 top 20 singles hits. Herbs also worked alongside UB40, Taj Mahal, Billy Preston, Neil Sedaka, Tina Turner, Neil Young, George Benson, Joe Walsh and Stevie Wonder.

Herbs' music is upbeat and clear in its messages. Their 1982 New Zealand hit "French Letter", which spent 11 weeks on the charts, expressed New Zealand's anti-nuclear stance. Fourteen years later, it was re-recorded to garner support for the prevention of nuclear testing at Mururoa. Similarly, "No Nukes (The Second Letter)", "Nuclear Waste" and "Light of the Pacific" expressed much the same sentiment.

Herbs' third release and first full album Long Ago, which featured the 1984 single of the same name, was produced by well-known New Zealand bass player Billy Kristian. In 1986, former Be-Bop Deluxe bassist/vocalist Charlie Tumahai joined the group, having been a session musician for various international acts.

In 1986, "Slice of Heaven" with Dave Dobbyn reached number one on both the New Zealand and Australian charts. In 1989 they played on Tim Finn's hit "Parihaka" and in 1992 Annie Crummer fronted the hit single "See What Love Can Do."

Around this time the band forged into producing, providing instrumentation for Samoan singing sensation John Parker. The album titled Another Girl produced a local hit, a reggae-funk inspired cover of the Maori folk song "E Papa".

In 1989, the band was assisted by Eagles member Joe Walsh, who produced, played slide guitar and sang on the band's Homegrown album, which featured a cover of "Walk Away Renee", originally recorded by The Left Banke. Walsh announced he had joined Herbs, but the union lasted less than a year. Walsh gives credit to the members taking him to 'the ruins at Hawke's Bay', where he had 'a moment of clarity' – for inspiring him to pursue sobriety.

They also provided two songs to the 1990 film, The Shrimp on the Barbie: A cover of the Peggy Lee song "Mañana (Is Good Enough for Me)" and "Listen". "Homegrown" from their 1990 album of the same name is featured on the soundtrack of Once Were Warriors.

Herbs are considered pioneers of the Pacific reggae sound, having paved the way for contemporary New Zealand reggae groups such as Fat Freddy's Drop, Katchafire, The Black Seeds, and Trinity Roots.

Although their last album of new material was released in 1990, Herbs still perform in New Zealand and Australia, with guitarist Dilworth Karaka the last remaining member of the original line-up that released What's Be Happen? in 1981.

Percussionist Thomas Nepia died in February 2018, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Guitarist Tama Renata died in November that same year. Keyboardist Tama Lundon, who had played in the group since 1983, died in August 2025. And Dilworth Karaka, the primary founding member who remained with the band since its inception, died on 7 March 2026 aged 75.

Members Current members Walter Bianco — saxophone, flute, vocals Leyton Greening — drums Kaitapu Monga — bass guitar, vocals

Past members Deceased members are denoted with a cross (†).

Dilworth Karaka (†) – vocals, guitar Toni Fonoti – vocals, percussion Spencer Fusimalohi – vocals, guitar Fred Faleauto (†) – vocals, drums Dave Pou – bass guitar John Berkley – bass guitar Phil Toms – vocals, bass guitar Alan Foulkes – percussion Jack Allen – vocals, bass guitar Tama Lundon (†) — vocals, keyboards Morrie Watene – vocals, saxophone Carl Perkins (†) – vocals, percussion Willie Hona (†) – vocals, guitar Thom Nepia (†) - vocals, percussion Charles Tumahai (†) – vocals, bass guitar Gordon Joll – drums Joe Walsh – vocals, guitar, production Tama Renata (†) – vocals, guitar Kristen Hapi – drums Juanito Muzzio – percussion Grant Pukeroa – vocals, drums Max Hohepa – vocals, bass guitar Lionel Nelson – vocals Ned Webster – drums Ryan Monga – drums

Timeline

Discography Albums Year Title Details Peak chartpositions NZ 1981 What's Be Happen? Label: Warrior Catalogue: Z 20012 40 1983 Light of the Pacific Label: Warrior Catalogue: WAR 2005 49 1984 Long Ago Label: Warrior Catalogue: WAR 2007 39 1987 Sensitive to a Smile Label: Warrior, Mushroom Catalogue: WAR 2008, L38988 10 1990 Homegrown Label: Tribal Catalogue: 9031727721–1 — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums Year Title Details Peak chartpositions NZ 1993 13 Years of Herbs: The Best of Label: Warner New Zealand Catalogue: 4509941522 14 2001 Listen: The Very Best of Label: Warner New Zealand Catalogue: 0927419502 1 2008 Lights of the Pacific: The Very Best of Herbs Label: Warner New Zealand Catalogue: 5186511252 8 "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles Year Title Peak chart positions Album NZ 1982 "French Letter" 11 Light of the Pacific "Jah's Son" 15 1984 "Long Ago" 22 Long Ago 1985 "Nuclear Waste" 32 1986 "Slice of Heaven" (as Dave Dobbyn with Herbs) 1 Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale 1987 "Sensitive to a Smile" 9 Sensitive to a Smile "Rust in Dust" 11 1988 "Listen" 7 1989 "No Nukes (The Second Letter to France)" 48 "Parihaka" (as Tim Finn and Herbs) 6 Tim Finn 1991 "Homegrown" 41 Homegrown 1992 "See What Love Can Do" (as Annie Crummer feat. Herbs) 3 Language 1993 "Till We Kissed" (as Herbs feat. Ray Columbus) 26 Non-album singles 1994 "Good for Life" — 1995 "French Letter '95" 9 "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Critical reception and awards RIANZ Awards The New Zealand Music Awards are awarded annually by the RIANZ in New Zealand. YearAwardWorkResult1983 Album of the Year Light of the Pacific Top Group of the Year 1985 Album of the Year Long Ago Polynesian Album of the Year Long Ago 1986 International Achievement 1987 Album of the Year Sensitive to a Smile Best Male Vocalist Thom Nepia (Herbs) Best Group Best Polynesian Album E Papa – Jah Knows Best Songwriter Charles Tumahai / Dilworth Karaka – "Sensitive to a Smile" 1988 Best Male Vocalist Best Group 1990 Best Polynesian Album Homegrown 1996 Single of the Year "French Letter '95"

Aotearoa Music Awards The Aotearoa Music Awards (previously known as New Zealand Music Awards (NZMA)) are an annual awards night celebrating excellence in New Zealand music and have been presented annually since 1965.

! |- | 2012 || Herbs || New Zealand Music Hall of Fame || ||

References

External links