Maisey Rika

Maisey Rika is a New Zealand singer, songwriter and composer, performing in both English and Māori. Her five original albums have each reached the Top 40 in the Official New Zealand Music Chart. She was named an Arts Foundation Laureate in 2021, While her mother did not speak Māori, Rika attended a kōhanga reo, a kura kaupapa, and Māori boarding schools, which allowed her to learn the language from a young age.

2008-present

Rika self-released a self-titled EP in early 2009 sung in English, which charted at No. 40 in the NZ Top 40

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rika wrote nine songs inspired by the nine stars of Matariki, which she learned about from Māori astronomer Rangi Mātāmua. Working with new producers for the first time, including Tiki Taane, the new songs intended to connect the stars and the gods to contemporary life in Aotearoa. The resulting album, Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea, was released on July 17, 2020.

Rika joined the inaugural Top 10 Te Reo Māori Singles chart released by Recorded Music NZ on June 21, 2021, with her songs "Waitī, Waitā" at number 6 and "Hiwa-i-te-Rangi" at number 8.

Collaborations Beginning in 2012, Rika performed alongside Māori singers Merenia and Whirimako Black, Ngaiire from Papua New Guinea, and aboriginal artists Emma Donovan and Ursula Yovich as The Barefoot Divas.

Personal life Rika is married to Bossy Hill, with whom she has three sons.

Released: 1997 Label: South Pacific Recordings Format: CD, digital download —

Released: 12 October 2009 Label: Moonlight Sounds Format: CD, digital download, streaming 28

Released: 28 September 2012 Label: Moonlight Sounds Format: CD, digital download, streaming 5

Released: 25 November 2016 Label: Moonlight Sounds Format: Digital download, streaming 20

Released: 17 July 2020 Label: Maisey Rika Music Format: Digital download, streaming 10

Released: 11 December 2023 Label: Maisey Rika Music Format: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays

Title Album details Peak chart positions NZ "Letting Go" 2009 — Maisey Rika "Tangaroa Whakamautai" 2012 9 Whitiora "—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

As featured artist Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album NZ NZArtist "Waiaroha" 2015 — 15 Pūmau "Get Up, Stand Up" 2016 — — "Ka Mānu" 20 "East Coast Moon" 2020 — — "Tūrangawaewae" 2021 — — Heritage Trail "—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Awards

The Arts Foundation Rika was named an Arts Foundation Laureate in 2021. She received the Jillian Friedlander Te Moana-nui-a-kiwa Award, a $25,000 prize that recognizes outstanding Māori and Pasifika artists.

NZ Music Awards Rika has twice been awarded Best Māori Language Album at the NZ Music Awards, in 1998 for her appearance as a soloist on E Hine and in 2013 for her album Whitiora. Her appearance on E Hine also earned her a 1998 nomination for Best Female Vocalist. For the 2017 NZ Music Awards, Rika was nominated as Best Māori Artist, but withdrew ahead of the awards ceremony to avoid elevating herself above other Māori artists, according to her manager.

APRA Awards Rika was nominated for the APRA Maioha Award for her song "Repeat Offender" in 2009. She won the same award in 2013 with Te Kahautu Maxwell, and Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper for their song "Ruaimoko".

Rika also won APRA Best Māori Songwriter in both 2010 and 2013.

Her songs "Hiwa-i-te-rangi" and "Turangawaewae" were both named top 20 finalists for the 2021 APRA Silver Scroll.

Waiata Māori Music Awards The Waiata Māori Music Awards are judged by members of the Māori music industry. 2009 Maisey Rika Best Māori Female Solo Artist

Best Māori Female Solo Artist Best Māori Songwriter Tohu Best Māori Pop Album "Nia" Best Māori Song

Best Māori Songwriter Best Māori Female Solo Artist

Best Music Video by a Māori Artist Best Māori Song

Best Māori Traditional Album (Te Reo) Best Māori Pop Album

Best Māori Songwriter Best Māori Female Artist Tira Best Traditional Māori Album "Taku Mana" Best Song by a Māori Artist 2020 "Ka Mānu" (with Rob Ruha, Horomona Horo, Majic Paora, Troy Kingi, Ria Hall, Seth Haapu & Bella Kalolo) Radio Airplay Song of the Year by a Māori Artist in Te Reo