Toni Huata
"A cultural upbringing and a broad interest in the arts has enhanced my creativity with music."
Toni Huata at PAO PAO PAO 2007
Be prepared to be spell-bound by Toni Huata, who delivers a complete performance with outstanding vocals, fabulous costumes, dance elements and a set that always has a surprise.
This Ngati Kahungunu, Rongowhakaata diva has also starred in theatrical productions such as the hit show Maui – One Man against the Gods. Toni played the role of Taranga, Maui’s mother and Hinenuitepo (goddess of the afterlife).
Toni Huata’s top-class performances have earned her billings at concerts and festivals in Europe, the United States, Canada, Asia and Pacific.
“Toni brings forth sounds and feelings from the past, mixes it with today’s international musical influences to present a sound for the future.” - Tu Mai magazine, New Zealand
Artist Profile
Te Mihimihi
Tihe Mauri Ora
Te Okanga ki te Rangi
Te Okanga ki te Whenua
He Maioha o te ngakau,
Ko Toni Huata
Ka titiro whakarunga ki Whakapunake
Ki te hau pure ora o Tawhirimatea
Hinana mataratara ki Ramoto Kireara...Ramoto Kireara
Huinga te aroha
Huinga to ora eee.
Ko Te Maori e, he mihi nui ki toku matua koroua ki a Te Okanga Kahutapere Huata me toku kuia a Ngaro Rangi
Ka hua te aroha, te mauri, te mana, koinei te kaupapa. Ko te whanui hoki o nga mauri waiata a Te Okanga, i whakaputa ai he whakaaro mo te Mauri, Toi, Mana, Aroha i roto waiata.
E tukuna ana nga mihi ki nga kaitito/kaioro waiata ara, Kia Te okanga Huata ratou ko Hira Huata, Adrian Tangaroa Wagner, Te Ahukaramu Charles Royal, Tehi Mana Kerr, Ngahuia Tawahi, Jerry Banse, Turei Reedy; ki te whare hopu waiata o Flax Wax Digital; Ki Te Mangai Paho, na ratou te putea tautoko - Toitu te reo!; Ki Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori - Kia ita; Ki Te Reo Irirangi o Te Upoko o Te Ika, Te Reo Irirangi o Ngati Kahungunu, Nga reo irirangi Maori katoa o te motu e whakapaoho ana i oku waiata - Mauriaora ki a koutou; Ki nga kaitautoko katoa, ki te tira kanikani ara nga wahine purotu, nga tane purotu hoki, nga kaimahi o nga ripene whakaatata mo Ko Wai Ka Hua, oho mai koe, Hauora, Toku Reo, Manotau... Ki nga kaitakawaenga tai noa atu ki toku whanau me aku hoa mo ta ratou tautoko ki ahau.
Te Maori e... whakamaua tonu te reo rangatira
Te Maori e... hopukia a tatou taonga
Hoki wairua mai...
Dedicated in loving memory to my grandparents Te Okanga Kahutapere Huata and Ngaro Rangi... Aroha tonu...
Ko Whakapunake a te Matau a Maui Tikitiki a Taranga te maunga
Ko Te Wairoa Hopupu Honengenenge Ma Tangirau te awa
Ko Te Waka Tapu ko Takitimu te waka
He Mokopuna au na Te Okanga Kahutapere raua ko Ngaro Rangi
No Ngati Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa me Rongowhakaata oku iwi
Ko Toni Huata toku ingoa
Tribal Affiliations
Ngati Kahungungu, Rongowhakaata, Lebanese, German, Irish and Scandinavian
Biographical details
Toni Huata is a Maori songwriter and vocalist of extraordinary power and style. She grew up in New Zealand, always knowing she wanted to make a difference!
'A cultural upbringing and a broad interest in the arts has enhanced my creativity with music'.
Toni's music, which can be heard on her debut album Te Maori E, has deep spiritual roots. A culmination of being raised with the traditions, Maori culture and song. Te Maori E is a story retold in music inspired by her late father, Te Okanga Huata.
Toni performs nationally on a regular basis including constant appearances at the New Zealand International Festival of Arts, Music & Dance Festivals, Theatre Health & Education forums and in more colourful places such as Christchurch and Arohata Women's Prison.
Internationally Toni has toured throughout USA, Europe and Asia. In 2001 she performed in Honolulu, Hawaii; London, United Kingdom; Rotterdam, Holland and Sydney, Australia. Her highlights were the Womex World Music Expo, and being the first Maori to perform at the world renowned Jazz club - Ronnie Scotts in London.
Toni was also able to deliver some unique Maori culture and movement workshops, which were received tremendously by all those who attended. An added skill she offers.
Toni has made many television appearances and has performed alongside The Neville Brothers(USA), Sentivo (UK) and Te Vaka (NZ/Tokelau).
Uniquely indigenous, provocative and innovative. The imagination and creativity springing from Toni's professional background performing with Te Rakau Hua O Te Wao Tapu touring theatre company headed by Jim Moriarty. She also has a Trade Certificate in Hairdressing and a Music degree from Whitireia Polytechnic in Porirua, Wellington.
"All my life experiences have been valuable, the culmination of which is personified in my album, show and music videos, Te Maori e".
Toni Huata grew up in Hastings and was surrounded by an eclectic array of influences throughout her childhood including the Anglican Church, Choir, tap dancing and kapa haka.
Toni attended the famous Turakina Maori Girls College and completed a hairdressing course before coming to Wellington where she began her career as a hairdresser eventually working for the city's top salon Buoy.
"My interest in the arts has always been with me and in 1993 I launched into formal music training at Whitireia Polytechnic in Porirua."
In 1995, Toni joined Jim Moriarty's Te Rakau Hua o Te Wao Tapu touring Theatre Company where she had a variety of key roles as a performer, facilitator and manager.
Toni has made a number of television appearances as an entertainer and has performed alongside artists such as The Neville Brothers, Emma Paki and Southside of Bombay.
"All my life experiences have been valuable, the culmination of which is personified in my debut album Te Maori e."
Toni has produced music videos for songs Ko Wai Ka Hua, Hauora, Oho Mai Koe and Toku Reo with assistance from Te Mangai Paho - Maori Language Broadcasting Agency. She also has her own Entertainment Business called "WaaHuu Creations" that provides tuition in Theatre, Music, Dance as well as Production services. Toni is available for interviews and live performances nationally and internationally.
Te Maori e
A fusion of jazz, jungle and tradition.
Te Maori e is a fusion of jazz, flamenco, classical, dub, jungle, poi and traditional Maori waiata that Toni hopes will open up a new range of possibilities for Maori language music this millenium.
For Toni Huata the singer/songwriter and creator of Te Maori e, her debut album is her taonga, her gift in a spiritual and lyrical way.
Dedicated to her grandparents, the late Te Okanga Kahutapere (Aussie) Huata and Ngaro Rangi-Huata, the theme for the album is built around the song Te Maori e composed by her grandfather for the Te Maori exhibition in 1986.
Te Maori e is a challenge to the contemporary as it resonates returning themes of taonga, pride, language and diversity of Maori people and Aotearoa.
Toni hopes the album invokes the emotions of love, happiness, strength, celebration and empowerment. Toni's talents received rave reviews from Maori and mainstream music critics after she performed with the Neville Brothers in 1993. She is an extension of her ancestors and is a living example of enjoyment, inspiration and spirit.
Contributory musicians on Te Maori e: Chaitanya Temepara (1996 Showcase winner), Te Ahukaramu Charles Royal (Writer, Te Tohu Mauriora), Rob Winch (commercial composer), Warren Maxwell (Trinity Roots), Maaka McGregor (Southside of Bombay & WAI100% ), Rio Hemopo (Trinity Roots), Roger Rangitaawa, Tehi Mana Kerr, Brannigan Kaa, Tim Jaray, Turei Reedy, Jerry Banse.
Producers: George Nepia III, Chris 'Mu' Faimu, Jeremy Geor.
Artists: Te Okanga Kahutapere ( Aussie ) Huata, Hira Huata, Adrian Wagner, Terrence Griffiths, Tuari Dawson.
Te Maori e was released as a theatrical show on Saturday 7 October 2000. If you would like to order the CD, this can be done through http://www.maorimusic.com.
Toni Huata can be contacted by email on waahuu@clear.net.nz or by phone on 64 21 639 790.
Production Company WaaHuu Creations
Toni Huata and Adrian Wagner
WaaHuu Creations caters to enhance the exposure of Maori in the arena of Performing Arts, Language, and Culture. Specialities include: Motivational speaking, Performance Training, Workshop facilitation and Music Distribution.
Previous clients include: New Zealand Festival if the Arts, Pasifika Festival- Auckland City, Whitireia Performing Arts, Whitireia Music Course, Taki Rua Productions, Circa Theatre, Pataka Art Gallery, Te Waka Toi - Creative NZ, Toi Maori Aotearoa, Te Mangai Paho (Maori Language Broadcasting Agency), Te Taura Whiri I te reo Maori (Maori Language Commission), Hutt City Council, Wellington City Council and Jim Moriarty's Theatre Company.
Director / Producer
Toni Huata is an accomplished singer / songwriter, dancer, voice expert and actor. In 1995 Toni joined Jim Moriarty's Te Rakau Hua o te Wao Tapu Music touring theatre company where she held a variety of key roles as a performer, facilitator and manager.
Viewed by Te Taurawhiri I te reo Maori (Maori Language Commission) as an asset and ambassador of Maori Language. Te Mangai Paho (Maori Language Broadcasting Agency) consider her a dynamic, high achiever who produces high quality work in the performing arts and broadcasting industry.
View Toni Huata image gallery.