Toni Huata
Download Promotion Booklet (PDF 7.6mb)
Toni Huata promo 4 page 2019.pdf
From London jazz clubs to European arts festivals, Toni Huata's style and strength
as a performer allows her to stand confidently in the Māori and non-Māori worlds.
Toni is a Māori song tress, actor, performer, director and producer whose talent allows her to
perform at various music and dance festivals both nationally and around the world including
support to The Neville Brothers (USA).
Toni has performed in London-UK, Basque, Spain, Holland, Germany, Canada, Hawaii,
Rarotonga, Manila-Philippines, Palau, America Samoa, Solomon Islands, Australia, China,
Hungary, Austria and Japan.
Her performances overseas have earned her praise:
" Toni brings forth sounds and feelings from the past, mixes it with today's international musical influences to present a sound for the future" -Tū Mai Magazine, NZ
"Aotearoa's very own Whitney Houston - Cook Island News "
" Maori Diva sings in London - NZ News, UK "
"Her stunning voice has been heard before but 'Te Māori e' is a visual and aural delight" - Real Groovy, NZ
"Constantly in demand, audiences are captivated as Toni adds to the allurement of our exotic shores making Māori language “sexy’ ”. – Tu Mai Magazine, NZ
Hailing from Hastings in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, Toni says she was surrounded by an eclectic array of influences including the Anglican Church, choir, tap dancing, musical theatre and Māori cultural performance. She affiliates to Ngāti Kahungunu and Rongowhakaata tribes, and is also of Lebanese, Welsh, and Irish decent.
Toni's music reflects her deep spiritual roots however vocals range from jazz to soul ballads, opera to haka. Toni graduated in music at Whitireia Polytechnic, then toured throughout NZ for four years in Jim Moriarty's Te Rakau Hua o Te Wao Tapu theatre company. Adding more strings to her bow, Toni’s voice features in Peter Jackson’s King Kong and she performs in various theatre including her starring role as Hine-nui-te-Po in the NZ renowned aerial theatre production of ‘Maui – One Man against the Gods’, World of Wearable Arts, New Zealand festival etc.
"Toni Huata brings serene strength to Hine, and shows great focus and vocal control, by continuing to sing with effortless beauty, as she flies across the stage. " – Theatre review, NZ
Toni has released her 7th album TE RERENGA - The Journey which hit the NZ Music charts within the top 10 for over 3 months upon opening.
Toni also has 5 new music videos with this album AIO, WAIORA, HĀ on Toni's YouTube channel and this year TAHURI MAI and TAIHOA.
Toni released Kahungunu Maranga for Te Kahu o te Amorangi - Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Competitions the EP Kahungunu Maranga in 2016. All albums have been award winning and chart toppers. TOMOKIA (2014), HOPUKIA (2012), WHITI (2010), MAURI TO (2003) and TE MĀORI E (2001) where she continues collaborate with producer Paddy Free and renowned composer, percussionist Gareth Farr (Rugby World Cup 2011 opening ceremony music). Toni’s voice also featured in the Fan Fare music by Gareth Farr for all 48 RWC 2011 games as the teams entered the fields to play and Peter Jackson's King Kong.
Toni is also a motivational speaker, vocal coach, stage craft tutor, event organizer and Kaihautu Puoro Māori | Director of Māori Music at SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music.
Look out for Toni's most recent single HE AROHA written by Ngahiwi Apanui-Barr and released with Aotearoa Allstars.
HE AROHA: Buy https://bfan.link/he-aroha
HE AROHA: Audio https://youtu.be/W0CooFs_qjo
HE AROHA: Slide show https://youtu.be/gEKLBWZeWlk
Also find some of Toni's governance roles and mahi at SOUNZ:
Meet the Team | Toni Huata - SOUNZ
About & 2024 Programme | Taki Rua
Music - Toi Māori Aotearoa - Māori Arts News Zealand (maoriart.org.nz)
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Whanganui ā Tara
Media quotes:
"The beautiful vocal power of Toni Huata" - DOMPOST, NZ
"Toni Huata sets the mood" (performance with the Neville Brothers) " - Kapi Mana, NZ
"Brave and True like her ancestors: Toni Huata. " - Capital Times, NZ
"Toni Huata - Capturing the moment!' " - NZ Musician Magazine, NZ
"The show had high quality offerings for a wide variety of tastes, ended most suitably with Toni Huata singing the dramatic Haere Atu Ra. (The Right Royal Gala Show) DOMPOST, NZ "
Show Reviews:
"Toni Huata shows are people and history. I love the tribal sounds, electronic beats and Māori stories fused with NZ talent and Toni’s stunning voice which is strong yet angelic. "
"Wow, just beautiful! Love this album!’"
"I enjoyed the new and fresh combination and reo, waiata and electronica."
"Toni brings a fresh view to the combination and collaboration of mā tauranga Māori and modern music. "
RADIO:
Radio New Zealand UP BEAT interview with Toni Huata
Radio New Zealand Interview about Maori language music and week:
PodCast Radio NZ
RNZ interview with Toni Huata and Paddy Free: RadioNZ