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Mahina-Ina Kingi-Kaui

Mahina Ina Kingi Kaui is a talented recording artist, composer, an accomplished player and practitioner of Ngā Taonga Pūoro – Māori traditional instruments. She features on the numerous projects and collaborations, nationally and internationally. 

Mahina- Ina Kingi-Kaui

Kāti Irakehu, Ngāi Tuahuriri Kāti Huirapa, Te Whanau Pokai. Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi

Denis Welch, Arts Editor for ‘The Listener’, said that Mahina was a, ‘Divinely voiced singer’.‘ The voices of the past are breathing through her’… from the Hone Tuwhare Poetry and Music Sentimental Journey Tour, Northland 2002. “Kaui is compelling; she has the command and mana of a seasoned performer and it’s clear the audience are hanging on every sound”. Erin Harrington reviews Ad Parnassum – Purapurawhetū, performed at The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora as part of their Matariki programming, 8 June – 9 July 2022.

Mahina Ina Kingi Kaui is a talented recording artist, composer, an accomplished player and practitioner of Ngā Taonga Pūoro – Māori traditional instruments. She features on the numerous projects and collaborations, nationally and internationally. Mahina has produced and co-produced many albums and was nominated as a finalist in the 2001 NZ Music Tui Awards, called ‘Dance With the Wind – Te Karakia’, Big Belly Woman. Her second album, ‘Dignity – Ko Tapu Au, Tu Rangatira’ was launched at Parihaka Peace Festival in 2007.

Mahina has featured many times with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, played Taonga Pūoro for Tūmahana, Director/Writer Juanita Hepi (Ngati Wheke) and has performed widely with groups and projects such as, Te Ahikaaroa Kapa Haka, Te Tau Hou Matariki 2022, The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, Pohutukawa, Pouataata (a 3 piece group), CHCH Art Gallery “Te Wheke” Exhibition 2022. Te Pou O Te Rongo Maori Youth Peace Symposium 2022.

Mahina has played Taonga Pūoro and co-composed the sound track music for Koreporepo Film by Kathleen Gallagher for the International Film Festival, 2022. Manawhenua Taonga Pūoro project for Manatū Maori- NZ Arts and Heritage, Music and Memory concerts with Robert Oliver and Palister Viols 2023, Te Papa Matariki Haumanu Collective 2023, Chamber Music NZ- Hine Hoia 2023 Tour. She co-composed the soundtrack for 2021 film, Rohe Kōreporepo directed by Kathleen Gallagher, composed a work for Tirama Mai 2023, Co-Composed a recent composition with Dr Reuben De Lautour, University of Canterbury 150 years celebration with the CSO 2023.

Mahina is currently collaborating on projects with Daniel Belton (Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Extreme Reality project and works with Chisnallwood Intermediate School Music Department to deliver Taonga Puuoro and create a Taonga Puuoro Orchestra.

Mahina's Other Work

2020 CSO Compassion Concert March 2020 Soloist Nga Taonga Pūoro
Compassion. Christchurch Symphony Orchestra with Te Ahikaaroa (Kapa Haka), Soloist Mahina Kingi-Kaui (Taonga Pūoro), Lior Attar (tenor), conductor Benjamin Northey.
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Bathing in the Sounds of Nga Taonga Puuoro

Examples of Mahina's previous work:

Recordings:

Big Belly Woman – Listen on Spotify

Pacific Curls – Listen on Spotify 

CSO: Compassion Concert March 2020
Compassion. Christchurch Symphony Orchestra with Te Ahikaaroa (Kapa Haka), Soloist Mahina Kingi-Kaui (Taonga Pūoro), Lior Attar (tenor), conductor Benjamin Northey.
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