Moana & the Tribe launched songs from their 5th album Rima in 2014 at Womad NZ. She toured in 20 Germany, Australia, Netherlands, Turkey, New Zealand and performed at the opening of the Biennale in Venice / Italy in June 2009. Since their formation, the band has become one of the most successful indigenous bands to emerge from New Zealand. 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.

When the group received a New Zealand Music Industry award in 1992, they accused the New Zealand radio of racism against Māori groups, whose music was categorised as 'underground' and refused airtime by DJs. During concerts they projected images behind them related to the Māori people, such as the New Zealand landscape or traditional Māori Ta Moko tattooing.Īlthough they rap mostly in English, as most Māori youth did not speak much Māori in the early 1990s, the group's lyrics emphasise the necessity of studying their history and culture. Besides their music, the group was well-known for their use of the traditional Māori haka. The band had a significant influence due to their style and message to the public. Moana and the Moa Hunters 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. Moana retired the group after performing at the 1998 Vancouver Folk Festival. The group scored a gold record in New Zealand and a hit single. Other songs discussed colonial issues, such as the Treaty of Waitangi, signed between the Māori people and the British government in the 1840s. The songs on the album dealt with themes such as spirituality and prophecy, and the album cover used traditional Māori symbols. The band's second album, Rua, combined pop, hip-hop and Māori music. The band released their debut album Tahi in August 1993. The song was nominated for several awards in 1991. The lyrics of the single urged Māori youth to work to preserve their culture and traditions, learn about their history, and for all New Zealanders to learn the Māori language. In 1991, Moana and the Moahunters released 'AEIOU (Akona Te Reo)' (English: Learn the Language), which combined rap with traditional Māori song. 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. In 1989, Moana formed Moana and the Moahunters with Teremoana Rapley and Mina Ripia. The song was produced by Maui Dalvanius Prime and peaked at number 27 on the RIANZ singles chart. 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. Career 1986-1998: Moana and the Moahunters She now considers herself a follower of traditional Māori spirituality. However during her college years Maniapoto began to question her Catholic beliefs, and abandoned them entirely after the birth of her children. Maniapoto was raised Roman Catholic, with her cousin Max Mariu being the first Māori bishop. She is said to have paid her way through law school by singing covers in the highly competitive Auckland club circuit. Maniapoto was born in Invercargill, New Zealand, and attended St Joseph's Māori Girls' College in Napier.

Miana song