Kōhine Tewhakarua Pōnika (née Rangi; 28 June 1920 – 25 November 1989) was a New Zealand composer known for her Māori waiata (songs).
[1] In 1967 the family moved to Tūrangi due to her husband's work on the Tongariro Power Scheme, where she lived for the rest of her life.
[6][2] Popular waiata (songs) composed by Pōnika include "Aku Mahi", "Kua Rongorongo" and "E Rona E".
[7][8] In 1969 she won an award for original Māori Songs and Lyrics in the NZBC Cook Bi-Centenary Celebration Competition.
[10] In 2009, her whānau (family) launched a ten-track CD of her waiata, titled Ka Haku Au – A Poet's Lament.