TONI HUATA TO HEADLINE FESTIVAL GALA
MAY 15, 2017: Nuhaka, Aotearoa, New Zealand
Organisers of this year's Wairoa Maori Film Festival are proud to announce that Toni Huata will be the headline performer at the Wairoa Maori Film Awards in June.
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 songtress, 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 Maori 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 Mäori cultural performance. She affiliates to Ngäti Kahungunu and
Rongowhakaata tribes, and is also of Lebanese, German, Scandinavian 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, than 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 a EP Kahungunu Maranga (2016) and FIVE award winning, chart topping solo
albums, TOMOKIA (2014), HOPUKIA (2012), WHITI (2010), MAURI TO (2003) and
TE MAORI 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.
Toni is also a motivational speaker, vocal coach, stage craft tutor, event organizer and
mother of two.
TICKETS TO THE AWARDS NIGHT
Tickets to the Awards Night are only $40 and can be purchased from Eventfinder.