Moana (singer)

Moana Maree Maniapoto MNZM (born 22 June 1961) is a New Zealand singer, songwriter and documentary maker.

[1] Widely considered one of New Zealand's most successful indigenous acts,[2] her music is described as a fusion of traditional Māori haka, chants and taonga pūoro, with contemporary soul, reggae and classical styles.

Maniapoto was born in Invercargill, New Zealand,[3] and attended St Joseph's Māori Girls' College in Napier.

[6] In 1986, Moana debuted as a solo artist and released "Kua Makona" as a part of a campaign for the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand.

[3] In 1991, Moana and the Moahunters released "AEIOU (Akona Te Reo)" (English: Learn the Language), which combined rap with traditional Māori song.

Other songs discussed colonial issues, such as the Treaty of Waitangi, signed between the Māori people and the British government in the 1840s.

She toured in 2008 and 2009 Germany, Australia, Netherlands, Turkey, New Zealand and performed at the opening of the Biennale in Venice / Italy in June 2009.

[citation needed] Moana is one half of an award-winning film-making team led by her partner and band member Toby Mills.

[16] In the 2004 Queen's Birthday Honours, Moana was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Māori and music.