Ana Matawhaura Hato

Ana Matawhāura Hato (30 December 1907 – 8 December 1953) was a New Zealand singer. She and her cousin Deane Waretini, Snr. were two of the first New Zealand singers to be commercially recorded in the late 1920s, and the acoustic recordings are prized by collectors and historians. In later life, she frequently sang at public occasions and took part in some of the earliest radio broadcasts featuring Māori music.

Early life Hato was born on 30 December 1907 at Ngāpuna, a suburb of Rotorua. Her father was of Ngāti Whakaue descent, and her mother was of Tūhourangi descent. She grew up in the tourist destination of Whakarewarewa. Both her parents were singers who performed traditional Māori music. The singing classes she took at the local primary school, from Mrs Banks, the wife of the headmaster, were the only formal music lessons she ever had. Her cousin Waretini also attended these lessons, and together they sang at community gatherings, church and for tourists.

Career By the age of 16, Hato was a member of the Māori concert group run by Guide Rangi, and regularly performed solo at public occasions. She toured New Zealand with Maggie Papakura in the early 1920s, and toured Australia as a soloist with a small concert party in 1925. By 1926, Waretini considered her the best soprano in New Zealand. and was buried at Whakarewarewa. For many years, her family and friends placed a memorial notice every December in the Rotorua Daily Post which said: "The melody has ended, but the memory lingers on..."

Discography + Singles (solo) Title Release info Year Notes "Hoki Hoki" / "Te Arawa" Parlophone A 2800 "Waiata Poi" (A Poi Song) / "Akoako o te Rangi (Whisper Of Heaven) Parlophone A 2802 1927 "In Fairyland" (A Maori Legend) / "Karo" (A Poi Song) Parlophone A 2807 1927 "Waiata Poi" / Te Taniwha (The Dragon), "Haka" Parlophone AR 100 1927 "Pokare Kare" / "Hine Ehine" Parlophone AR 101 1927 "Pokarekare" (The Ripple) / "Hine E Hine" (Slumber Song) Parlophone R 3354 1927 "Hoki Hoki Tonumai", "Poatarau Maori" / "Tahi-Nei Taru Kino", "Kutia Haka" Parlophone R 3355 1927