Anika Moa

Anika Moa
Name	Anika Moa
Birth date	21 May 1980
Birth place	Auckland, New Zealand
Occupation	Singer-songwriter, musician, television presenter, actress
Years active	1999–present
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, ukulele, piano
Labels	Warner Music, EMI

Anika Moa Anika Moa is a New Zealand singer-songwriter, musician, television presenter and actress known for her work in pop, folk and country-influenced music. Rising to prominence in the early 2000s, she has released multiple studio albums, written songs for other artists, and appeared on television and film projects. Her public profile spans performance, advocacy and media presenting across New Zealand cultural institutions.

Early life and education

Born in Auckland and raised in North Shore, Moa spent childhood years influenced by family connections to Ngāpuhi and Ngāi Tūhoe iwi and moved between urban and rural settings, including time in Opononi and Whangarei. She attended local schools on the North Shore and completed secondary education before studying contemporary music and performance pathways connected to regional music programmes associated with institutions like Te Wananga o Aotearoa and community arts initiatives. Early exposure to songwriting came through local Auckland venues, regional festivals such as Big Day Out, and connections with established New Zealand musicians including performers from Bic Runga's era, which helped shape her approach to composition and stagecraft.

Musical career

Moa's professional recording career began after winning national competitions that linked emerging artists to major labels such as Warner and EMI. Her debut album entered charts alongside releases by New Zealand contemporaries like Bic Runga, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and international acts distributed by major labels. Touring throughout New Zealand and supporting international artists on Australasian legs of tours associated with names such as Crowded House, Dave Dobbyn, and Neil Finn bolstered her profile. Across subsequent albums she explored stylistic intersections between country music interpreters like Kasey Chambers and singer-songwriters such as Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon, while engaging session musicians from the Auckland recording scene and producers tied to the Australasian pop market.

Songwriting and collaborations

Moa has written songs recorded by New Zealand and Australian performers and collaborated with a range of artists across pop, folk and country genres. She co-wrote material with established songwriters and producers associated with acts like Kimbra, Lorde, Scribe, Anika Moa collaborator and contributors to soundtracks for regional film and television. Her songwriting credits extend to projects involving artists who have worked with production teams linked to Sony and Universal. She also contributed to charitable compilations alongside musicians from labels such as EMI and groups that include alumni from Fly My Pretties and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra community crossover projects.

Acting and television work

Beyond recording, Moa has appeared in television and film projects produced by New Zealand broadcasters and production companies including TVNZ, Māori Television, and independent filmmakers associated with festivals like the New Zealand International Film Festival. She has presented and co-hosted programmes that intersect with music and culture, sharing billing with presenters who have worked on shows related to Taika Waititi-linked creative circles and presenters from Seven Sharp-adjacent formats. Her acting roles include guest appearances and parts in drama and comedy productions alongside performers from the New Zealand screen community such as Temuera Morrison, Rose McIver, and directors who have collaborated with international festivals and networks.

Personal life and advocacy

Moa is publicly known for advocacy on issues including LGBT rights, indigenous visibility and arts funding; she has participated in pride events alongside organisations like ILGA World-affiliated groups and collaborated with local NGOs and community arts collectives in Auckland and regional centres. Open about her identity, she has contributed voices to campaigns and spoken at panels with activists and public figures associated with movements represented in national discourse, including voices from Rainbow Youth and networks that connect to parliamentary caucuses in Wellington. Her advocacy extends to mentoring emerging musicians through workshops and programmes connected to institutions such as MusicHelps-style charities and community arts trusts.

Awards and recognition

Moa has been nominated for and received awards from New Zealand music institutions including the New Zealand Music Awards and organisations that recognise songwriting and recording excellence. Her albums and singles have charted on the Official New Zealand Music Chart and earned her nominations that put her alongside artists like Bic Runga, Brooke Fraser, The Feelers, Shihad and other prominent New Zealand musicians. She has been honoured in industry panels, songwriting circles and cultural awards that celebrate contributions to contemporary music and community engagement, and her work continues to be cited in overviews of New Zealand popular music from the 2000s onwards.

Category:New Zealand singer-songwriters Category:1980 births Category:Living people