Welcoming Theia as the Mātairangi Mahi Toi Artist in Residence

The award-winning Theia, Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Tīpa, is the 2023-24 recipient of the Mātairangi Mahi Toi Artist Residency.

Theia is a fierce proponent for the revitalisation of Māori language and culture, and through TE KAAHU she pays tribute to her tūpuna wāhine. TE KAAHU honours the craft and skill of Māori songwriting and storytelling and is the brainchild of celebrated singer and songwriter Theia.

In 2022, TE KAAHU made a significant impact with the highly praised debut album, TE KAAHU O RANGI, capturing the attention of global audiences. Internationally, it attracted a burgeoning fanbase in Australia, Japan, the United States and Canada, where it hit number one in the CKUA Radio Network’s Top 30 album chart. In Aotearoa, the album made its mark on the student and iwi radio networks, debuting at number16 in the New Zealand Official Album Chart.

TE KAAHU transforms into a mesmerising live act with Theia’s exquisite vocals front and centre. Supported by a band made up of some of Aotearoa’s finest musicians, TE KAAHU has toured throughout the motu and has played at a number of festivals, including The Others Way Festival in October 2022.

Mātairangi Mahi Toi Artist in Residence is an initiative through Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts, supported by Te Whare Hēra, which offers the opportunity to highlight Māori talent, leadership, and an example for tauira Māori.

The original article was published in Massey News.