Whirimako BLACK

Whirimako BLACK

One of New Zealand’s most distinctive singers, Whirimako is a passionate champion of Te Reo Māori. She studied music theory in 1983 at the Sydney School of Music and obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the Auckland University of Technology in 1997.

Whirimako has featured on numerous collaborations with some of the world’s most highly regarded musical artists, such as Donal Lunny, Steve Kerney, Larla Leonarda, renowned Zimbabwean singer/songwriter Oliver Mtukudzi, and (closer to home) Dave Dobbyn, Neil Finn, Salmonalla Dub, Nathan Haines, and (perhaps most notably) collaborated with Richard Nunns on the 2011 masterwork, Te More.

She enjoys an enviable list of awards wins and nominations that include Best Māori Album, Best Jazz Album, and a Silver Scroll award for Best Māori Composition, to name just a few.

In 2006 she was made a member of the NZ Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to Māori Music and received an Arts Foundation Laureate Award in 2011.

Whirimako's talents are not just limited to the microphone, with an enviable list of awards bearing testament to her song writing and commercial success. Awards include Best Māori Album and Best Jazz Album at the NZ Music Awards and a coveted Silver Scroll award in song writing for Best Māori Composition, to name just a few.

In 2006 Whirimako was made a member of the NZ Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to Māori Music. Whirimako finds time to support a number of community organisations and shares a particular passion for Te Reo Māori, Kura Kaupapa, Reo Rua, Kōhanga Reo, Breast Cancer Awareness, Carers NZ, the NZ Mental Health Foundation and Plunket.