Never fading away _{by Madelaine Empson}

On the 11^th of October, the incomparable Che Fu will celebrate 25 years of his seminal album Navigator with his long-time band The Kratez and some very special guests: Aaradhna, Betty-Anne, and King Kapisi.

Released in 2001, Navigator debuted at number one on the New Zealand Albums Chart, going on to achieve multi-platinum status. Threading themes of identity, resilience, unity, and hope across radio anthems like Misty Frequencies, Fade Away, and the unmistakable Waka, the album became a defining soundtrack for Aotearoa and solidified Che as one of its most influential voices.

When he looks back on the whirlwind time, Che thinks firstly of his wife and their family – his youngest son Loxmyn, who featured on the album cover, and of trying to be good parents. Then all the people he created the record with – who helped him take it to Aotearoa and beyond – spring to mind. And finally, he remembers the legendary shows that came off the back of Navigator.

“I never would’ve thought I’d be here talking to you about my record being around for 25 years,” he says. “It’s a surprise, a good surprise.”

In concert, the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame | Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa 2026 inductee will deliver the album in full alongside selections from the remarkable catalogue that followed. When the 10-date national tour hits Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre, he wants us to “come in ready to party” for a career and genre-spanning concert that blends funk, soul, reggae, and hip-hop.

“If you’re into that, I hope you leave with a big smile.”