STG News
It has just been revealed the 2024 Recorded Music NZ Music Hall of Fame inductee is Dame Hinewehi Mohi.
Dame Hinewehi Mohi’s remarkable story and ongoing contributions highlight her as a trailblazer in the revitalisation of te reo Māori and Māori music in Aotearoa.
Dame Hinewehi’s journey began with a deeply personal connection to her cultural roots, inspired by her father’s decision to reclaim his birthright and connect with his cultural identity at the age of 30. Immersed in te reo Māori through daily lessons with her father and exposure to Māori waiata, Hinewehi became an advocate for the everyday use of te reo Māori in New Zealand.
Her advocacy took a significant turn when she sang ‘God Defend New Zealand’ in te reo Māori at a Rugby World Cup match in 1999, sparking renewed debate and ultimately normalising the singing of the national anthem in both Māori and English.
Dame Hinewehi’s impact extends beyond her groundbreaking performance. As the Manukura Puoro Māori at APRA AMCOS NZ, she champions the growth of Māori music and the development of a bilingual music industry. She initiated the Waiata Anthems project, which supports artists in recording their hit songs in Māori, resulting in a chart-topping album that spent 27 weeks in the Top40.
In addition to her musical endeavours, Dame Hinewehi is the founder of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, providing music therapy to those with special needs. Led by Dame Hinewehi, the Trust will be celebrating this anniversary by reclaiming the record for world’s largest haka (4028 people) from France, at an event at Eden Park on 29 September 2024.
Dame Hinewehi Mohi will be celebrated at the Aotearoa Music Awards on Thursday 30 May at the Viaduct Events Centre. The event will be livestreamed by Official Media Partner RNZ via rnz.co.nz and across its social media channels.