Moana Leota

Moana Leota MOZIE (born February 7, 1999) is a singer-songwriter, actor and vocalist of Samoan and New Zealand European descent based in Wellington, New Zealand. Leota has been performing in New Zealand's commercial, arts and music industries from a young age. She was the voice of the Interislander ad for a decade and has been an active soloist for community and national events as well as a backing vocalist for national and international touring artists. As an actor, Leota toured internationally to the US and Mexico with Le Moana Productions as the lead in Fatu Na Toto and as a vocalist (2014, 2016, 2018). She recently toured New Zealand, UK and US with Bret McKenzie as a backing vocalist for his most recent album.

Under her stage name MOZIE, Leota released her debut single Not Done Loving (2022), and was praised for her original Soul / RnB sound.

Early life

Born in Wellington in 1999, Leota grew up in a family of strong singers in the Wairarapa. She was also a returning soloist for the annual Christmas Carols show held at the Government House (2014, 2015.) Her first professional work was as the voice of the Interislander ad (2013) which ran for 10 years. Leota recorded the jingle when she was 11. She went onto lend her voice to Tip Top Real New Zealand Summer Commercial (2013) that same year. The concert featured Leota, Little Bushman, Warren Maxwell and Wellington International Ukulele Orchestras Steve Jessup. was Leota's first live theatre role in which she was the lead. The show was first performed at the Wellington Fringe Festival. and Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar (2020).

Leota's show Poets Before Me was created for her 3rd year Body of Work which was her final and largest assignment at university. They performed at the Hollywood Theatre in Auckland, Theatre Royal in Nelson, James Hay Theatre in Christchurch and Opera House in Wellington. Leota was connected with Louis Baker through another New Zealand vocalist Lisa Thomlins, she needed cover for a gig with him and approached Leota for the role. Solo Concert with Guests 2014 Soloist Government House Christmas Carols Le Moana Productions 2018 Lead San Diego International Fringe Festival Le Moana Productions 2019 Pepper Walker Cry Baby Te Auaha 2019 Captain Fantastic Heroes and Villains Orchestra Wellington 2020 Judas Jesus Christ Superstar Colenso BBDO 2013 Vocalist Tip Top Ice Cream Colenso BBDO 2021 Various Female Characters Tick for Governance VOOTN Voice & Video