Latest news from Moana...

Maori on Speed (11 Jun)
We are 24 hours back from having completed our short, eclectic, intense but fabulous tour. First, we whipped up to Amsterdam then across to the Tong Tong Festival in the Hague for two concerts, a haka / taonga puoro workshop and (wait for it...) a cooking demo! Yep, that was a first for us - and funny-as. Let me just mention that wholemeal flour and fried bread do NOT go together but we work with what we have. Amiria was a hit with her mussel pate and Trinas Kiwifruit Smoothie was choice.

The highlight of that Festival was meeting people from the island of Mulucca who looked like us and told me about their experience.

From the Netherlands, we flew to beautiful Venice where we jumped on water taxis and headed off into this magical and ancient settlement. From the moment we landed, I basically power-ate my way through every pasta dish I could find - oh, and a gelato each day. I didn't care that my jeans barely fitted after only 4 days - I was HAPPY! Oh, yeah - and in between our feasts we managed to squash in a performance outside the magnificent Florians Cafe, opened in 1720. We played to a responsive audience that included N.Zers, art patrons, curators, rugby playing Maori based in Venice and a few wandering tourists. Mahuia was tinkling away on the grand piano - that was pretty cute to witness. We were there to support the two NZ artists featured at this years Venice Bienale and what an honour - also, to perform alongside Waka Huia - wonderful group.

We played in the morning, then flew to Cairns ( a LONG flight) where we soundchecked (well, the boys soundchecked after a dip in the hotel pool) and played that same night. The Tank Centre is just a gorgeous venue, kind of industrial - awesome acoustics. Lovely crowd, really cool.

The following day we flew to Brisbane and were taken to Woodford to the Festival of Dreaming - an awesome event that is the only aborigine-owned and run festival. Heaps of natives from Aotearoa, Canada and Aussie - and a big swag of hippies complete with tie dyes, batiks and hemp kakahu. It was 'spread the love' allround. We had a choice venue, and the 2nd concert was particularly fabulous. It's a great festival, run by the amazing Rhoda Roberts, wahine toa to the max.

Now we are back in Grey Lynn plotting local gigs this month and in July, before we head off to Borneo. It's all go-go!!!

First pictures from Den Haag (9 Jun)
If you want to see a few excerpts from our performance in den Haag

March in May (12 May)
There are two important marches that I will participate in.

The 1st is happening in Auckland on Monday, May 25th to protest the marginalisation of Maori by the NZ government who, ignoring recommendations from the Commission that suggested the Auckland SuperCity concept, refuse to set aside 3 seats for mana whenua and Maori in the new arrangement. Decisionmakers are always so confident that the notion of demoncracy that took them to power, will work for Maori. Well, diddly sqat works if you are indigenous and a minority to boot. Expect a hugely vocal and articulate reaction. And remember what happened LAST time we marched...a government minister resigned and a new Maori political party was formed.

The 2nd march is the International March for Peace and Non-Violence which begins in Aotearoa on October 2nd. This is an international march to bring people together - and I for one, intend to get involved.

This weekend past, some of our band played at Turangawaewae marae for a Gourmet Hangi and Feast. We sang alongside some of NZs superstars - and it was fantastic particularly as I caught up with so many people I hadnt seen for a while. A great Mothers Day and Matariki.

Pouring, torrential here in Rotorua...but hey, when there are hailstones on Mt Maunganuis beautiful beaches, far out!!!

Moana on Pacific Beat Street TV 3 (24 Apr)
Moana & the Tribe will interview and perform a few songs on TV 3 - Pacific Beat Street - Saturday 25 April 2009 - 11.30 am

Great NZ Songbook (19 Apr)
A wonderful book is about to be released - it's called the Great NZ Songbook - and it is just lovely. It captures the lyrics and personal writings by the singers/composers of a selection of songs from 'this century' and 'last century.' It contains two CDs and is beautifully illustrated, a great gift actually.

'Tihore mai', written by Hirini Melbourne and recorded on my very first album TAHI, was selected by Murray Thom, the organiser.

Anyway, the book launch is on April 29 at the Auckland Museum. Amiria, Trina and I will sing 'Tihore mai' to kick off the launch party.

Next week, we head out to the Refugee centre, me and the gals to do our regular concert for the next incoming group of refugees from Afghanistan, Congo, Rwanda, Iraq etc. It's something we got into a year ago - just warbling a few songs and teaching some Maori to the refugees. We really enjoy it - especially the bit where we get to cuddle the gorgeous babies!! And, we get entertained by the refugees because we make each group sing a song from their homeland. It gets positively party-like sometimes!