From Hendo to London: MOHI Meets the World
The West Auckland made artist introduces his truest sound yet on “Māori Kid Meets World”, arriving Friday 18 September during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. For the first part of his career, award winning artist, MOHI, made the music he thought he was supposed to make. On Māori Kid Meets World, he steps beyond that polished image and introduces the person behind it: a funny, sharp-edged and fiercely ambitious Māori kid from Henderson with a rich, unmistakable voice.
The West Auckland made artist introduces his truest sound yet on “Māori Kid Meets World”, arriving Friday 18 September during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.
For the first part of his career, award winning artist, MOHI, made the music he thought he was supposed to make. On Māori Kid Meets World, he steps beyond that polished image and introduces the person behind it: a funny, sharp-edged and fiercely ambitious Māori kid from Henderson with a rich, unmistakable voice.
The new 12-track album dives deeper into a process of reflection and self-discovery that began in earlier songs such as “Flowers in Hendo” from his prior album, “Flowers That Grow From Concrete Pavements”. Created primarily by MOHI and APRA Silver Scroll winning producer/songwriter, Noema Te Hau III, Māori Kid Meets World moves naturally between te reo Māori and English while exploring the experience of living across te ao Māori and a predominantly Pākehā world—the tensions, humour and contradictions of carrying both cultural realities at once.
Alternative R&B forms the album’s foundation, but its character comes from the tension between sweetness and bite. Its closest reference points are Dijon and Mk.gee, not as templates, but in their loose, performance-led approach and willingness to leave texture, movement and imperfection in the music. MOHI’s rich voice remains the centre of gravity, surrounded by expressive guitars, layered backing vocals and warm, unpredictable keys and synths. Savant, Leonardo Coghini contributes keys/synths throughout, while Jordyn with a Why, HOPE and Asha Maihi (Dreamer) add backing vocals. Recorded at BIG FAN, the album was produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Te Hau, with support from NZ On Air Music and Te Māngai Pāho.
At its centre is “Dreamer,” a song about the moment ambition must become action. Lead single “Happy Snappa” turns that idea into a journey from Henderson to London, named after the iconically average fish-and-chip shop opposite Waitākere Hospital. Filled with specific West Auckland landmarks, humour and a refusal to make the dream smaller, the song captures the personality driving the wider album. As MOHI puts it, “cheap talk don’t make rent any cheaper.”
That ambition has already shaped an eventful 2026. MOHI performed music from the landmark Waiata Anthems album with the Auckland Philharmonia at Auckland Town Hall. His long-standing love of rugby also developed into a collaboration with the All Blacks, who contributed backing vocals to “Taniwha,” an anthem written by MOHI and Te Hau for the team’s Matariki celebrations.
The album’s release now intersects with a wider movement. Through the new 4 The Masses initiative, MOHI will join a kura tour connecting rangatahi with waiata and contemporary Māori artists. He then travels to London as part of Te Reo Māori is Global, recording at Abbey Road Studios with Jordyn with a Why, HOPE and Ngāti Rānana before presenting his album at a public showcase at Pacific Tavern.
For MOHI, London is more than a release destination. It marks the beginning of an international chapter and a larger ambition to carry his bilingual artistry beyond Aotearoa. His reo Māori writing is not a strategic addition to the music; it reflects how he speaks, thinks and creates. Māori Kid Meets World is modern Māori confidence in motion, grounded in Hendo and ready to travel.
MOHI says:“I spent the first part of my career making the music I thought I was meant to make. This album is me backing the person I truly am. If you have a dream, eventually you have to stop talking about it, shoot your shot and do the work.”
Hina Announces Descending Dreams: The Duet Tour
Hina will take Descending Dreams on the road this September with Dave Khan, translating the album to a two-person live setting for four shows across the North Island. A key collaborator throughout Descending Dreams, Khan contributes electric guitar, pedal steel and viola across the record. Together, the pair will pull the songs out of their studio arrangements and into something sparer and more intimate, a chance to hear the album find another life in new rooms.
September 5, Decibel Wines, Hawke's Bay
September 6, Undercurrent, Wellington
September 13, Leigh Sawmill Cafe, Leigh
September 23, Cardboard Comedy Club, Kingsland, Auckland
Hina will take Descending Dreams on the road this September with Dave Khan, translating the album to a string-led two-person live setting for four shows across the North Island.
A key collaborator throughout Descending Dreams, Khan contributes electric guitar, pedal steel and viola across the record. Together, the pair will pull the songs out of their studio arrangements and into something sparer and more intimate, a chance to hear the album find another life in new rooms.
Speaking on the special nature of this tour, Hina says:
“The songwriting has always been at the heart of everything for me, so I'm really looking forward to stripping this album back to its bare bones. It all began in my bedroom, and there's something really special about returning to a similar place. I hope it feels like inviting people into the room where they first came to life. It's a huge privilege to tour this album with Dave Khan. When we opened for Ian Moss (Cold Chisel) at Hollywood Avondale around Christmas last year, we felt like we were onto something special. I'm excited to keep exploring that together and to bring these songs to people in this way.”
The tour follows the release of Hina's “absorbing and impressively assured debut” (13th Floor), Descending Dreams, which was released on 31 July. The record marks a major new chapter for her; its first single, 'Coucou!', earned Hina a Silver Scroll nomination. Across the album she explores identity, contraction, and a slow return to self – folk at its core, pulled sideways by country, gospel, and spaghetti western.
Hina’s Bio:
HINA is the creative mantle of Tāmaki Makaurau-based songwriter Amy Boroevich (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Raukawa). With a sound described by Remix Magazine as “genre-fluid”, HINA has emerged as one of New Zealand’s most captivating new voices. This year ushers in HINA’s debut album, recorded live at Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios with a seven-piece band and four-piece string ensemble. The record captures a quintessentially Aotearoa sound, flowing through indie-rock and alt-country textures with a dusting of pop instinct. With timeless songwriting and emotional bravery, HINA has developed a sound that balances complex feeling with plainspoken honesty. These songs were planted in the soil of small, unnamed moments. They are for anyone who has learned to live in the in-between and is ready to find their way home to themselves again.
LOUIS BAKER finds release in new single, 'Trouble' + Official Music Video
From one of Aotearoa’s treasured voices comes proof of the cathartic, healing power of music. Louis Baker’s powerful new single Trouble, out today, sees the acclaimed artist transform personal turmoil into a deeply personal and resonant new work.
From one of Aotearoa’s treasured voices comes proof of the cathartic, healing power of music. Louis Baker’s powerful new single Trouble, out August 7, sees the acclaimed artist transform personal turmoil into a deeply personal and resonant new work. Trouble cements Baker’s standing as an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, song-writer, producer, and captivating vocalist. The perfect follow-up to breakthrough single All We Need, new release, Trouble, accompanied by an official music video, showcases Baker at his most emotive and authentic.
A hard-hitting soul cut built on blues foundations, ‘Trouble’ reveals a grittier side to Baker’s forthcoming album, due for release later this year. Raw lead vocals cut through punchy drums and Motown-inspired guitar stabs, while congas, bass, organ and clav drive the groove. Above it, soaring flute from award winning jazz musician Louisa Williamson and sweeping strings bring a cinematic lift to the track’s raw, hard-edged production.
Written and produced by Baker, ‘Trouble’ emerged during a period of inner turmoil and reflection. At its core, the song explores the weight of stress, worry and exhaustion, while searching for hope and stability.
‘Trouble’ was one of my favourite songs to produce on the record,” says Baker. “I really leaned into my blues influences in the lyric with this one, and in many ways it’s a blues song at its core.”
“Looking back, I don’t think I fully realised the amount of mental stress I was going through until after the song was finished. Music has always been an outlet for me, and writing this helped put things into perspective.”
Recorded with some of Wellington, New Zealand's finest musicians, Baker performs vocals, guitars and bass, alongside Louisa Williamson (flute), Tristan Carter (violin), Leo Coghini (organ, clav and Wurlitzer) and Riki Gooch (congas).
The single is accompanied by an official music video, filmed across some of Wellington's most iconic live music venues, including Meow Nui and Bedlam & Squalor, the video also captures Baker moving through familiar corners of the city on a stormy winter's night, reflecting the song's atmosphere and emotional weight. Directed by award-winning director & producer, Shae Sterling, and continuing with their successful creative partnership, after also previously producing the visuals for Baker’s Addict and The People.
‘Trouble’ follows recent single ‘All We Need’, which received early DSP support from Spotify’s New Music Friday AU & NZ and Apple Music’s New Music Daily playlists, alongside international radio airplay and strong support from DJs and tastemakers across Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the US. The Track also debuted at #5 on the Aotearoa Hot Chart.
‘Trouble’ the single & official music video is available on all digital platforms 7 August 2026.
Made with the support of NZ On Air.
Isla Noon 'Out of Body Redux' OUT NOW
Isla Noon announces Out of Body Redux, a reimagined version of her immersive debut album. To celebrate the release of Out of Body Redux, Isla Noon will bring the project to the stage for a special release show at Auckland’s Big Fan on Friday 7 August. Performing the new EP live and in full, Noon will be joined by special guest CRYSTAL for a night celebrating the next evolution of her debut record.
Isla Noon announces Out of Body Redux, a reimagined version of her immersive debut album.
Tāmaki Makaurau artist Isla Noon (aka Shani Sauerman) released her debut album Out of Body in 2025 via Particle Recordngs . A deeply immersive alt-pop record that found an audience among fans of forward- thinking pop artists like Robyn, MUNA and Caroline Polachek.
Praised for its “gossamer” vocals, powerhouse songwriting and “synaesthetic electronic pop universe”, Out of Body established Isla Noon as one of New Zealand’s most exciting emerging voices. The album balanced euphoric electronic production with deeply personal themes, creating a world where vulnerability and dancefloor energy could exist side by side.
Following the album’s release, a chance discovery of standout track “Body” caught the attention of acclaimed producer Justyn Pilbrow, best known for his work on The Neighbourhood’s global hit “Sweater Weather”. Drawn to the song’s contrast between heavy synth textures and delicate vocals, Pilbrow connected with Noon and the pair began exploring a new production direction for the album.
The result is Out of Body Redux, a refreshed and reimagined version of seven tracks off Isla Noon’s debut album, bringing together the original album’s emotional depth with a more expansive electronic sound.
While some tracks received subtle refinements, others underwent complete transformations. The biggest evolution comes through “Her”, a guitar-driven highlight from the original album, which has been rebuilt into an urgent, pulsing IDM-inspired track and released as the lead single from Out of Body Redux.
“When I first heard ‘Body’ I was surprised by the contrast between the heavy synths and soft vocals. I hadn’t heard something like this and was intrigued,” says Justyn Pilbrow.
“It was a total experiment, but we were pretty delighted to have landed on something that really excited us both.” says Noon.
Out of Body Redux was released digitally on 17 July, alongside the launch of new album-focused platform Lume, and is out now on all platforms.
To celebrate the release of Out of Body Redux, Isla Noon will bring the project to the stage for a special release show at Auckland’s Big Fan on Friday 7 August. Performing the new EP live and in full, Noon will be joined by special guest CRYSTAL for a night celebrating the next evolution of her debut record. Doors open at 8pm, with the show beginning at 8:30pm.
GREATSOUTH FUNDRAISER & ALBUM RELEASE SHOW
On Friday 21 August, Greatsouth returns to BIG FAN to celebrate the release of his debut album, Hellhole of the Pacific, alongside special guests Louis McIver Smith (FKA Skinny & Soft) and huaxiflowerstream.
On Friday 21 August, Greatsouth returns to BIG FAN to celebrate the release of his debut album, Hellhole of the Pacific, alongside special guests Louis McIver Smith (FKA Skinny & Soft) and huaxiflowerstream.
Named after the 1830s description of Kororāreka "Hellhole of the Pacific", the album reimagines Aotearoa through an urban Māori lens. Blending taonga pūoro, field recordings and indie rock, it moves through stories of land, identity and belonging, finding the personal within the historical. From the shores of Te Manukanuka o Hoturoa to conversations with Papatūānuku, Hellhole of the Pacific reflects on the people, places and histories that continue to shape us.
This show marks the first live performance of the album and serves as a fundraiser for Greatsouth's upcoming BIGSOUND haerenga, where the project will travel to Magandjin Brisbane for its first international showcase. With 100% of ticket sales going directly towards the trip, your support will help the band take this exciting next step.
Buy the Hellhole of the Pacific album on vinyl and pick it up at the show!
GREATSOUTH
Greatsouth is the musical project of Māori artist Payton Taplin (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa) from Papakura, South Auckland. Blending indie rock, Polynesian post-punk, taonga pūoro and field recordings, his music explores identity, belonging and contemporary Māori experience through a distinctly Aotearoa lens. His debut album, Hellhole of the Pacific, arrives in August 2026 following support from RNZ, Rolling Stone AU/NZ, KEXP, Triple R, an APRA Silver Scroll finalist nomination and selection for BIGSOUND 2026.
HUAXIFLOWERSTREAM
huaxiflowerstream are the Tāmaki Makaurau duo of Huiming Wu and Maxwell Brown. Blending ghuzheng, guitar, percussion and improvisation, their music drifts between dream-pop, psychedelia, jazz, punk, noise and experimental soundscapes. Known for their immersive live performances and genre-defying approach, the pair have built a reputation as one of Auckland's most intriguing underground acts, with appearances spanning festival stages, SXSW Sydney and beyond.
LOUIS MCIVER SMITH
Louis McIver Smith is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Tāmaki Makaurau. Formerly releasing music as Skinny & Soft, his work moves between indie rock and alt folk experimental songwriting, pairing sharp melodies with deeply personal storytelling. pairing sharp melodies with deeply personal storytelling delivered in his distinctly Kiwi voice. Whether performing solo or through collaborative projects such as Fantastic Science Fiction, Louis has become a quietly distinctive voice within Aotearoa's independent music community.
CASTAWAY RETURN WITH THEIR MOST EMOTIONAL ANTHEM YET: “REASONS TO STAY”
Aotearoa’s rising pop-rock force Castaway continue their momentum with the release of their new single, “Reasons To Stay” - the latest glimpse into their upcoming body of work. Following their recent success opening for SIX60 and Synthony at the One New Zealand Stadium, and the growing traction of recent singles “Heart Attack” and “CUCKOO”, Castaway return with “Reasons To Stay”. This latest single continues a run of releases signalling the band’s rise.
Aotearoa’s rising pop-rock force Castaway continue their momentum with the release of their new single, “Reasons To Stay” - the latest glimpse into their upcoming body of work.
Castaway are five mates bound by music. Formed in Ōtautahi Christchurch, the band comprises Austen (bass), Jack (saxophone, keys), Jackson (vocals, keys, guitar), Joe (vocals, drums), and Rhys (guitar). The band blends pop-rock with alternative influences, and a boy-band flair. Their sound features driving guitars, punchy rhythms, sax-driven hooks and dual vocals - brought to life through high-energy performances built on anthemic choruses and emotional connection, leaving the crowds singing, dancing, and feeling it all.
Following their recent success opening for SIX60 and Synthony at the One New Zealand Stadium, and the growing traction of recent singles “Heart Attack” and “CUCKOO”, Castaway return with “Reasons To Stay”. This latest single continues a run of releases signalling the band’s rise.
“Reasons To Stay” is a powerful indie rock ballad from Christchurch five-piece Castaway, built around anthemic melodies, emotional intensity, and a chorus made for thousands of voices to sing together. Exploring the fragile space between struggle and hope, the track captures the weight of facing inner battles while searching for the moments, memories, and connections that keep us moving forward.
At its heart, “Reasons To Stay” is a deeply personal reflection on mental health and the ongoing fight between wanting to hold on and wanting to let go. Through moments of isolation, reflection, and redemption, the song follows a journey from darkness toward connection, where a single hand reaching out, a room full of laughter, or a moment of wonder can become a reason to stay. Both vulnerable and uplifting, the track transforms a personal struggle into a universal anthem of hope.
Castaway have evolved from university jam sessions to sharing stages with Mitch James and Drax Project, lighting up Selwyn Sounds, and earning spins across ZM, The Hits, More FM, Radio Hauraki, and RNZ. With “Reasons To Stay”, they continue that trajectory - capturing a band not just on the rise, but stepping confidently into what comes next.
And the five-piece’s rise is already being seen! On May 16, Castaway took the stage at the ‘Once In A Lifetime’ opening of One NZ Stadium in Ōtautahi, supporting Six60 and Synthony alongside Kaylee Bell and Cassie Henderson - a landmark moment that signals their arrival on a bigger platform.
The Response are back with single ‘Clear As Crystal’
Still riding high on their single “Where Do You Run To?” - which spent nine consecutive weeks as the #1 rock song on New Zealand radio charts and their follow up “Hollow Hour” which remains in the charts to this day - The Response announce their latest track “Clear As Crystal”.
Christchurch Indie Rock duo The Response release new single ‘Clear As Crystal’
Still riding high on their single “Where Do You Run To?” - which spent nine consecutive weeks as the #1 rock song on New Zealand radio charts and their follow up “Hollow Hour” which remains in the charts to this day - The Response announce their latest track “Clear As Crystal”. The release arrives on the heels of a successful Australian tour in February, playing packed out venues while supporting Transvision Vamp, expanding their reach across the Tasman.
On “Clear As Crystal”, sharp-edged guitars collide with restless momentum in a song that feels equally at home alongside the punchy urgency of The Datsuns, and the melodic drive of early Franz Ferdinand. Built around an energetic groove and a chorus that refuses to leave your head, “Clear As Crystal” captures the strange intersection of ambition, self-doubt, and reinvention. The song follows a narrator caught between chasing what's next and questioning the cost of the pursuit, culminating in the lyric: "Change 'til you don't recognise your face." Equal parts indie-rock immediacy and riff-driven catharsis, “Clear As Crystal” is a song for anyone still trying to figure out whether the finish line was ever really the point.
Clear As Crystal is available on all major streaming platforms on August 5th. Fans can follow The Response on social media for updates on upcoming releases.
Silk & Soul Tour - the Voices of Three Extraordinary Wāhine Māori
Three of Aotearoa's most exciting young wāhine Māori artists NAIA ((Ngāti Tūwharetoa) Jaedyn Randell (Ngāti Paoa and Ngāti Makirangi.) and Makayla (Ngāti Kahungunu) are joining forces this August for Silk & Soul — an intimate six-city theatre tour celebrating storytelling, soul music and the power of wāhine voices.
"Aotearoa continues to produce world-class talent, and these stories and voices deserve to be heard."
Three of Aotearoa's most exciting young wāhine Māori artists NAIA ((Ngāti Tūwharetoa) Jaedyn Randell (Ngāti Paoa and Ngāti Makirangi.) and Makayla (Ngāti Kahungunu) are joining forces this August for Silk & Soul — an intimate six-city theatre tour celebrating storytelling, soul music and the power of wāhine voices. More than a concert, Silk & Soul celebrates the strength, diversity and future of Māori music. It is also about creating another platform for wāhine Māori artists to share their voices while inspiring the next generation of young women to pursue careers in music.
Bringing together NAIA, Jaedyn Randell and Makayla, offers audiences a unique opportunity to experience three remarkable artists whose journeys have captivated audiences across Aotearoa and beyond.
Produced by Titan Entertainment Limited, Silk & Soul was created to provide a different kind of live music experience—one centred on connection, authenticity and the beauty of live performance. While many tours focus on large-scale production, Silk & Soul strips everything back, allowing audiences to simply sit, listen and connect with the music and stories of three extraordinary wāhine Māori artists.
Silk & Soul is more than a series of concerts. It is a celebration of Māori excellence, storytelling and the next generation of wāhine artists who are proudly representing Aotearoa on both national and international stages.
Together, NAIA, Jaedyn Randell and Makayla bring three unique musical journeys together in one unforgettable evening of soul, waiata and heartfelt storytelling.
NAIA- Nelson-born vocalist NAIA Awatea first captured the nation's attention through her unforgettable performances with Te Kuru Marutea at Te Matatini 2025. Her stunning vocals quickly became a viral sensation, reaching millions of viewers worldwide and introducing audiences to one of Aotearoa's most exciting emerging voices. Blending waiata Māori with contemporary soul-pop, NAIA continues to build a reputation as a gifted storyteller whose music is deeply connected to culture, identity and community.
Jaedyn Randell - Fresh from finishing as Runner-Up on The Voice Australia 2024, Jaedyn Randell has become one of the most recognised Māori voices internationally. Known as the singing voice of Moana in Disney's te reo Māori versions of Moana and Moana 2, and PrincessAnna in Frozen, Jaedyn seamlessly blends contemporary soul, R&B and pop with powerful storytelling in both te reo Māori and English. Her music explores identity, belonging and culture, earning her recognition on both sides of the Tasman.
Makayla Award-winning Hawke's Bay singer-songwriter Makayla has quickly become one of Aotearoa's brightest new stars. Signed to Massive Records, Six60's record label, she toured nationally with Six60 during their Grassroots Tour, performing 25 shows around New Zealand before winning Best Māori Female Solo Artist at the 2025 Waiata Māori Music Awards.Her soulful songwriting and authentic performances continue to connect with audiences across the country.