Singing the national anthem in Māori is today an accepted part of Kiwi life at major sporting events, but the person who did it first says the criticism it attracted at the time was a shock. "I thought it would be beautiful to sing it in Māori and really show the distinctive side of our nation." She and husband George Bradfield, together with supporters, established the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre, using music to help people with special needs. Photo / NZMEShe has recorded three albums, the most acclaimed of which, Oceania, was described by critics as "a beautiful collection of haunting melodies" and was the first contemporary Māori language album to be released internationally. She has continued mentoring artists in her role at the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) promoting the growth of Māori music and the development of a bilingual music industry in Aotearoa.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 05, 2021 12:00 UTC