While still at school in Christchurch, Moa entered the 'Smokefree Rockquest'.
She received a record deal with Warner Music in New Zealand and Atlantic Records in New York. The record company had big commercialized plans for her - which conflicted with her brash down-to-earth personality. Overall Moa did not enjoy her time in America and returned to base herself in New Zealand. Her first album was released in 2001.
She released her second album on August 1, 2005. She has collaborated with many artists including New Zealand's SJD and Bic Runga. She has also joined the band Dimmer, in a backup and touring capacity. She appears on the Greenpeace single "Anchor Me", which commemorates the twentieth anniversary of the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. She also DJs under the pseudonym DJ Unika.
During September-October 2006 Moa toured New Zealand with just her acoustic guitar, playing at pub venues - almost all of which were sold out.
In October 2007, she released her third studio album, In Swings The Tide. The album was self produced for the first time.
Moa is openly lesbian.
Her website can be found at http://www.anikamoa.com/
Ka Whakahuia Ano
Anika Moa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ko wai tenei
Whakarongo kit e ata
Karanga o nga tui
Korero ki au
Ko rangi tenei
Whakarongo kit e tangi
Ka whakahuia ano
The song "Ka Whakahuia Ano" by Anika Moa talks about a mourning process that someone goes through after losing a loved one. The first verse starts with the line "He tangi wai", which translates to "a lamentation of tears". The singer then asks, "Ko wai tenei?" which means "who is this?" This line can be interpreted as the singer asking who they have become after the loss of their loved one. The next line, "Whakarongo ki te ata", can be translated to "listen to the dawn", which suggests the singer is searching for guidance or comfort from nature. The following line, "Karanga o nga tui" refers to the call of the tui bird, which is often seen as a spiritual symbol in Māori culture. The final line of the verse "Korero ki au" means "speak to me", which reinforces the idea that the singer is seeking guidance and support.
In the chorus, the singer addresses the loved one they have lost, saying "Ko rangi tenei, Whakarongo ki te tangi", meaning "this is heaven, listen to the lamentation". The singer is acknowledging that the loved one is now in a better place, but they still feel the pain of their loss deeply. The next line, "He mokimoki au kia koe", translates to "I am still yearning for you", which further emphasizes the depth of the singer's grief. Finally, the line "Ka whakahuia ano" means "you will be celebrated again", hinting at the hope the singer has for a reunion with their loved one in the afterlife.
Line by Line Meaning
He tangi wai
A weeping sound like that of water dripping
Ko wai tenei
Who is this person that I am addressing
Whakarongo kit e ata
Listen to the morning, the dawn
Karanga o nga tui
The birds call out to me
Korero ki au
Speak to me
Ko rangi tenei
This is a celestial matter
Whakarongo kit e tangi
Listen to the sound of mourning
He mokimoki au kia koe
I am a lizard to you
Ka whakahuia ano
But I will be celebrated/acknowledged once again
Contributed by Kaitlyn R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Laurence
on In the Morning
What a load of rubbish. The song is about having an abortion and the lyrics are Bleed, bleed, bleed, that's all I ever do. Stupid pc morons