Ma¯ori artists join forces for performances
Two award-winning Ma¯ ori artists have joined forces for a national tour.
Gisbourne-based Rob Ruha and Tauranga artist Ria Hall bring their show Behind The Lines to New Plymouth’s TSB Showplace tonight.
The pair have been long time friends and colleagues but it wasn’t until this year they decided to do a project together.
‘‘We’ve always wanted to do something at this kind of level and Rob asked me very early this year if I’d be keen,’’ Hall said.
Hall found a love of singing when she was seven and got involved in choirs. At the recent Apra Silver Scroll awards she picked up the Maioha Award for her song with Tiki Taane and Te Ori Paki, Te Ahi Kai Po¯. She also won Best Ma¯ ori Female Solo Artist at the Waiata Ma¯ ori Awards.
Ruha comes from a Kapa Haka background and had been performing as a solo artist for the last four-and-a-half years. Recently he won four awards at the Waiata Ma¯ ori Music Awards including Best Ma¯ ori Male Solo Artist, Best Ma¯ori Urban, Best Ma¯ori Traditional Album and Best Song by a Ma¯ ori Artist for his song Kalega.
Both had played in Taranaki many times, most recently at the Taranaki Arts Festival last year. ‘‘I love Taranaki,’’ Hall said.
‘‘The people are really awesome and respond really well to the music,’’ Ruha added.
Rob Ruha and Ria Hall perform Behind The Lines in New Plymouth, Wellington, Wairoa, Havelock North, Christchurch and Auckland. Tickets available through Ticketek and Eventifnda.