1986–1998: Moana and the Moahunters In 1986, Moana debuted as a solo artist and released "
Kua Makona" as a part of a campaign for the
Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand. The song was produced by
Maui Dalvanius Prime and peaked at number 27 on the
RIANZ singles chart. In 1989, Moana formed Moana and the Moahunters with
Teremoana Rapley and
Mina Ripia. In 1990, Moana and the Moahunters released "Black Pearl" which peaked at number 2 on the national charts in 1991, earning Moana her first gold. The song was nominated for several awards in 1991. The band released their debut album
Tahi in August 1993. The band's second album,
Rua, combined pop, hip-hop and Māori music. The songs on the album dealt with themes such as spirituality and prophecy, and the album cover used traditional Māori symbols. Other songs discussed colonial issues, such as the
Treaty of Waitangi, signed between the Māori people and the British government in the 1840s. The group scored a gold record in New Zealand and a hit single. Moana retired the group after performing at the 1998 Vancouver Folk Festival.
Promotion of Māori culture Moana and the Moahunters were well known for pioneering a distinctively Māori form of popular music, during a period when Māori language and culture was not as widely accepted or promoted as today.
2002–present: Moana and the Tribe (2013) in
Koblenz (Germany) In 2002, Moana formed the band Moana and the Tribe which consisted of a large group of musicians and performers with a passion for
Māori culture. Since their formation, the band has become one of the most successful indigenous bands to emerge from New Zealand. In May 2008, Moana released
Wha. She toured in 2008 and 2009 Germany, Australia, Netherlands, Turkey, New Zealand and performed at the opening of the
Biennale in Venice / Italy in June 2009. Moana & the Tribe launched songs from their 5th album
Rima in 2014 at
Womad NZ. In 2014, Moana and her band formed the Boomerang Collaboration with Scottish band
Breabach,
Shellie Morris,
Casey Donovan and Djakapurra, playing concerts at Womad NZ,
Sydney Opera House and
HebCelt (Scotland).
Rima was a finalist at the
2015 Vodafone NZ Music Awards and the song "Upokohue" was a finalist in the APRA Maioha Award. It won 2nd place in the World category at the
International Songwriting Contest. ==Other activities==