Mā

Maarire Brunning-Kouka is the singer-songwriter behind Mā, combining hip-hop, jazz, English, and te reo Māori, for her own brand of "neo-soul." Mā grew up with actress mother Nancy Brunning and playwright father Hone Kouka in Wellington, where she is still based. Her 2021 debut album Breakfast with Hades garnered acclaim, and she was named one of "NZ's One to Watch" by Rolling Stone in 2023. She has since released single 'Puha me te Porohewa' with the Waiata Anthems series, and a second album Blame It On The Weather. Her live band is known as Mā and the Flying Hunnies, and she has released music with Iti Bubba.