Singer and songwriter Ria Hall (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāti Pukenga) has just released a new album Manawa Wera, inspired by classic 1970s reggae & soul and addressing the current social and political climate.
Hall grew up in Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty, getting switched onto singing through kapa haka at Tauranga Girls' College.
Her 2017 album Rules of Engagement included the track 'Te Ahi Kai Pō’ which won her and co-writers Tiki Taane and Te Ori Paki the Maioha Award at the 2018 Silver Scrolls.
When she presented the 2019 award she issued a challenge to the music industry to tackle a lack of diversity.
She was recently named Director of the 2021 Tauranga Arts Festival.
Ria Hall Photo: supplied
