Nikau Grace Shares Single + Videos 'Tōku Tuakiri' - Waiata Anthems

Kawerau-born songwriter Nikau Grace (Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) has added a stellar contribution towards the ongoing Waiata Anthems initiative for Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa / NZ Music Month, today sharing ‘Tōku Tuakiri’ (translating to ‘My Identity’) sung in both te reo and English. Finalist for Play It Strange's 2022 Youthtown Songwriting Competition, the fifteen year old artist addresses the challenges and pressures she has faced while forging her identity, acknowledging the discoveries still left to unearth before her.

Recorded with producer Nic Manders, translator Whaea Leeda Webster, and a choir from the Rotorua Accelerando Programme (conducted by Nikau Grace), the official video for 'Tōku Tuakiri' launches at 7pm, made with support from the Waiata Takitahi Grant. In the meantime you can experience the Waiata Anthems short documentary on 'Tōku Tuakiri', plus enjoy a new live performance video and illuminating lyric explainer clip below..

“Tōku Tuakiri to me is who you are, how you identify, the people who help make me, me. I still haven't quite figured out my identity yet, but I'd say I've got time. I don't believe I have to know it all now, there's no pressure to have all the answers.”

'Tōku Tuakiri' is out today on major streaming services.