The first time most people heard of Hinewehi Mohi was when she performed the National Anthem at the 1999 Rugby World Cup exclusively in Maori.
Now we sing the anthem in both English and Te Reo without thinking about it.
Mohi is celebrating 20 years in the business and has one of the country's finest voices.
But one achievement not so well known is her role in getting a horse to speak Maori.
"It was the most hilarious time of production I've ever had because the main characters were all friends, very funny and really took on the characters. We still talk in those voices when we catch up," says Mohi.
The Te Reo version of Mr Ed was made for Maori Television by Mohi's production company.
She has been working in radio and TV as long as she's been releasing music. Sometimes the two things overlap, like on song 'Kia U'.
"I released it in 1992 and it was directly from some thoughts I had about hot debate of talk back road," she says. "It's quite an edgy sentiment about not giving up the fight wanting some priority around the language and culture."
So the message is all there, but it's often gentle and quiet.
"I don't like confrontation so in 99 when I sang the National Anthem in Maori at the Rugby World Cup, I was freaked out," says Mohi. "I didn't want to force something onto people they didn't really want. I though it was important for us to have this statement about our culture and its uniqueness."
Music has always been her response. When daughter Hineraukatauri was born with cerebral palsy, she underwent music therapy. And, through the Raukatauri trust the option is offered to families in Auckland.
"Sometimes I've seen the music therapist in tears because the connection is so strong at the high end of esoteric connections. It's beautiful."
Her latest album Raukatauri - Te Puhi O Te Tangi is a fundraiser for the trust. It's released next week but can be pre ordered online here.
3 News
source: newshub archive
