Dean Hapeta, (a.k.a Te Kupu, a.k.a D Word) has been producing socio-politically charged rap, poetry, music and video since 1985.

1966 - born in Upper Hutt, Wellington, of Ngati Huia, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Toa, Te Ati Awa and Pakeha descent.

1985 - The Upper Hutt Posse, his four piece reggae group is started. They later play rap.

1988 - he wrote and then released E Tu, the first rap recording to be released in Aotearoa.

1989 - Upper Hutt Posse debut album, Against The Flow, released

1990 - Upper Hutt Posse travelled to Australia, and then to the USA as guests of the Nation Of Islam. This made the group, which was already surrounded in controversy because of its outspoken political stances, even more notorious.

1993 -Upper Hutt Posse played at the first Polynesian Music festival in Rarotonga.

1996 to 1998 - Hapeta studied Maori Law and Philosophy at Te Wananga O Raukawa.

1996 - He performed "outernationally" in Canada at the Music West Conference, and then travelled to the US, surprising a few unsuspecting audiences with Maori language spoken word performances.

1977- spoken word performances at Womad in Auckland and Sydney.

1998 - Dean built a home recording studio and emerged a year later with his solo album. that is distributed through his company Kia Kaha Productions.

2003 - the fourth Upper Hutt Posse album - Te Reo Maori Remixes - received a "Tui" at the NZ Music Awards for Best Mana Maori Album

NZ Folk Song