Hinewehi Mohi debuted as a solo musician in the early 1990s,[1] while primarily working as a Television New Zealand producer.

Mohi sung at a tapu lifting ceremony for a recording studio, during which she impressed Coleman by her vocal ability.

[1] Many of the songs on the album are inspired by the early life of Mohi's daughter Hineraukatauri, who was born with cerebral palsy.

[5] Originally the album was planned for release in 1998, however was delayed due to the takeover of the PolyGram label by Universal Music.

Mohi decided to sing the anthem in Māori instead of English, which received wide backlash in the New Zealand press at the time.