Herbs, the New Zealand reggae group founded in 1979, died on March 8, 2026.
The multi-ethnic band featured Samoans, Tongans, Cook Islanders, New Zealand Europeans and Māori members. Led by singer-guitarist Dilworth Karaka, the main founding member who remained with the group until his death in March 2026, Herbs was known for its Pacific reggae sound and for songs and themes tied to race relations and opposition to nuclear weapons in the Pacific.
The group was inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame as its 11th inductee.
Herbs are a New Zealand reggae group founded in 1979. 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.