Whirimako Black

by Andy KellmanMaori vocalist Whirimako Black formed a band, Tuahine Whakairo, in 1991, but left it two years later in order to pursue a solo career. Throughout the early 2000s, she released several albums, including 2001's Hine Pukohurangi: Shrouded in the Mist, 2002's Hohou Te Rongo: Cultivate Peace, 2004's Tangihaku, 2005's Kura Huna, and 2006's Soul Sessions. The debut won a 2001 New Zealand Music Award for Best Maori Language Album. She composed and sang the titles for The New Zealand Wars, a program shown on TVNZ, and she also co-wrote the theme for Te Karere, a Maori news program.