Contributor
Toni Huata
Performer, Māori Composer, Jazz Composer, Composer
Biography
Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongowhakaata
From London jazz clubs to European arts festivals to New Zealand's Te Papa Tongarewa, Toni Huata's style and strength as a performer allows her to stand confidently in te Ao Māori (the world of Māori) and non-Māori worlds.
Toni is a Māori songtress whose talent and music reflects her deep spiritual and cultural roots. Toni’s voice ranges from Jazz, Soul, Opera to Haka and allows her to stand in various music and dance festivals around the world including support to The Neville Brothers (USA). Toni constantly performs live with common appearances at festivals, fashion shows, theatres, corporate events, health & education forums, Awards shows and women’s prisons. Internationally Toni has performed throughout United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, USA, Pacific, Australia and Asia. Her highlights have been the first Māori act to Headline at the world-renowned Jazz club – Ronnie Scott’s in London.
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 Kapahaka (Māori cultural performance). She affiliates to Ngāti Kahungunu and Rongowhakaata tribes, and is also of Lebanese, German, Scandinavian and Irish decent.
Toni graduated in music at Whitireia Polytechnic, Porirua and her quest to hone skills as a performer took her to Jim Moriarty's touring theatre company where she held roles as an actor, singer, workshop facilitator, sound technician and tour manager. Toni also delivers unique Māori culture, language and movement workshops to many institutions including the NZ School of Dance and Drama. Adding more strings to her bow, Toni holds a trade certificate in hairdressing and third degree in Reiki Mastership. Toni’s voice featured in Gareth Farr’s Fan Fare Music for all 48 games in the Rugby World Cup 2011 and Toni performs for many theatrical productions, TV and film including voice work for Peter Jackson’s King Kong.
Toni holds governance roles in Taki Rua Productions (Co-Chair), Pūatatangi (Co-Chair) and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Whanganui ā Tara (Co Secretary). Toni is also the Kaihautu Puoro Māori | Director of Māori Music at SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music.
“The beautiful vocal power of Toni Huata” - Dompost, NZ
"Aotearoa's very own Whitney Houston" - Cook Island New, NZ
“Constantly in demand, audiences are captivated as Toni adds to the allurement of our exotic shores making Māori language ‘sexy’” – Tu Mai, NZ
“Māori Diva sings in London" - NZ New, UK
"Brave and true like her ancestors Huata - Seizes the day!” – Capital Times, NZ
“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, NZ.
Composed (66)
Recordings (7)
Resources (12)
Performances (2)
Nau mai, haere mai – your whole whānau are warmly invited to celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Ye...
Nau mai, haere mai – your whole whānau are warmly invited to celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Ye...