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Ria Hall
Hall in 2016
Background information
Born1982 or 1983 (age 41–42)
Maungatapu, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
OriginTauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Genres
Years active2011–present

Ria Hall (born 1982 or 1983) is a Māori recording artist, singer-songwriter, television presenter, and political candidate. She has released two solo albums, Rules of Engagement (2017), which topped the Official New Zealand Music Chart shortly after its release, and Manawa Wera (2020). Her work reflects Māori society and history, and Hall regularly sings in Māori as well as English.

Born in Tauranga with an extensive background in kapa haka, she moved to Wellington in her early twenties to attend university and launch her music career. She initially fronted the reggae band Hope Road. After sporadically performing with other contemporary Māori musical acts, such as TrinityRoots, Hall rose to prominence after performing the New Zealand national anthem for the opening ceremony of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Her self-titled debut EP, released that year, won Best Māori Album at the 2012 New Zealand Music Awards. Her debut album Rules of Engagement is a concept album about the Tauranga Campaign, specifically the Battle of Gate Pā, featuring contributions from Tiki Taane and Che Fu. Hall would later win Best Māori Female Artist at the Waiata Māori Music Awards for the work. Her second album Manawa Wera featured collaborations with Rob Ruha and L.A.B, and peaked at number 10 on the Official Albums Chart. Her song 'Te Ahi Kā Pō' won the APRA Silver Scroll in 2021.

Hall has also had a prominent career as a television presenter on Whakaata Māori (formerly Māori Television), one of New Zealand's two state-owned indigenous television networks. She has also collaborated with Stan Walker, Maisey Rika, and Troy Kingi. Having long been involved in advocacy for the Bay of Plenty, in 2024 Hall announced her candidacy for Mayor of Tauranga in the 2024 Tauranga mayoral election, part of the first local elections since the 2021 suspension of Tauranga's local government. She came fourth on provisional results.[1]

Life and career

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Hall was born in 1982 or 1983 in Maungatapu, Tauranga, where she grew up on marae with her three older sisters.[2] She is Māori, and affiliates to Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, and Waikato. She attended Maungatapu School, Tauranga Intermediate and Tauranga Girls' College.[3][4] At secondary school she became interested in singing through kapa haka and later joined the kapa haka group Waka Huia. One of Hall's musical influences as a teenager was Che Fu's 1998 album 2 B.S. Pacific, which she reportedly listened on repeat when studying for her final exams at secondary school. Hall has said the album "changed the entire hip-hop, soul and R&B scene in New Zealand... It was such a necessary record at the time. I just found it really inspiring that he was Māori/Niuean and representing unashamedly what was possible in the New Zealand music scene for someone of a Polynesian persuasion."[5]

Hall later moved to Wellington in 2006, where she studied political science at Victoria University of Wellington.[6] There, she formed the reggae band Hope Road.[2] She began to sing with TrinityRoots upon their reunion in 2010.[7] She sang at the opening ceremony for the 2011 Rugby World Cup,[8] and released her debut self-titled EP in 2011, which won Best Māori Album at the 2012 New Zealand Music Awards.[9] In 2013 Hall featured as a guest vocalist on Stan Walker's single "Like It's Over".[10] From 2012 to 2013, she was a presenter on Maori TV's AIA Marae DIY.[11][8] Her debut album Rules of Engagement was released in 2017. A concept album about the Tauranga Campaign, specifically the Battle of Gate Pā, it featured contributions from Tiki Taane and Che Fu.[12] She won the title of Best Māori Female Artist at the Waiata Māori Music Awards for the work.[13] Her second album Manawa Wera featured collaborations with Rob Ruha and L.A.B, and peaked at number 10 on the Official Albums Chart. Her song 'Te Ahi Kā Pō' won the APRA Silver Scroll in 2021.[6]

Hall has also collaborated with Hollie Smith, Laughton Kora, Kings, Fly My Pretties, Betty-Anne Monga and Whirimako Black.[6] She has three children and continues to live in Tauranga.[6]

Politics

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On 5 May 2024, Hall announced that she would run in that year's election for Mayor of Tauranga.[14] These are the first local elections in Tauranga since the 2021 suspension of its city council and elections in 2021. In a press release, Hall was described as a longtime political advocate for Tauranga through her music.[6] On provisional results, Hall came fourth, missing the runoff which was subsequently won by Mahé Drysdale. She congratulated him and said running for council was an "absolute privilege".[15]

Musical style and influences

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Hall performing with TrinityRoots, 2010

Hall classifies her music as mainly roots and reggae, with influences of ragga, soul and hip hop music.[2] She grew up listening to reggae, soul, hip hop and R&B, and her mother listened to country music.[4]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions
NZ
[16] 		NZ
Artist
[17]
Rules of Engagement
  • Released: 27 October 2017[18]
  • Label: Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
 6 1
Manawa Wera
  • Released: 28 February 2020[19]
  • Label: Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
 — 10
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Extended plays

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions
NZ
[16]
Ria Hall EP
  • Released: 3 October 2011[20]
  • Label: Tu Taniwha Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
 20

Singles

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Title Year Album
"Hotuhotu"[21]
(Robert Ruha & Ria Hall) 		2011 Mīharo: He Kohikohinga Waiata Māori
"Love Will Lead Us Home"[22] 2016 Rules of Engagement
"Tell Me"[23]
(featuring Che Fu) 		2017
"Barely Know"[23]
(featuring Kings)
"Black Light"[24]
(featuring Mara TK)
"Te Ahi Kai Pō"[25]
"Cause & Effect"[26] 2019 Manawa Wera
"Flow"[27]
"Owner"[28] 2020
[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
NZ
[29] 		NZ
Artist
[30]
"Like It's Over"
(Stan Walker featuring Ria Hall) 		2013 19 4 Inventing Myself
"Sensitive to a Smile"
(among Aotearoa Reggae All Stars) 		2 1 Non-album single
"Ms Rita"[33]
(J. Williams featuring Sid Diamond & Ria Hall) 		— 20
"Aotearoa"
(Stan Walker featuring Ria Hall, Troy Kingi and Maisey Rika) 		2014 2 1
"No Place Like Home"[35]
(Tiki Taane featuring Ria Hall & friends) 		2016 — 10
"Ka Mānu"[36]
(Bella Kalolo, Maisey Rika, Majic Pāora, Ria Hall, Rob Ruha, Seth Haapu, Troy Kingi, The Witch Dr.) 		2019 —[A] 20
"Why Am I Here"[38]
(Tiki Taane featuring Ria Hall) 		2020 — —
"Stay"[39]
(among Tūtahi) 		—[B] 16
"—" denotes items that failed to chart.

Promotional singles

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Title Year Album
"Rangatira / Owner"[41] 2021 Kono 003

Guest appearances

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Title Year Other artists Album
"I Ngā Wā, Taumaha Ai (Bridge Over Troubled Water)" 2010 — Tipi Haere Te Reo
"He Hoa Tāku, Tōmuri Rawa (Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby)"
"Tihore Mai te Rangi" 2012 He Rangi Paihuarere (A Tribute to the Late Dr. Hirini Melbourne)
"Falling Angels" 2014 Tiki Taane, Maitreya, the Auckland Gospel Choir Non-album song
"So Amazing" Whenua Patuwai The Soul Sessions
"Nana's Song" Tiki Taane With Strings Attached (Alive & Orchestrated)
"The Deeds of Mercy" 2017 Paul McLaney Play On
"Ka Ihi te Moana" Rob Ruha, The Witch Dr. Survivance
"Aotearoa (English version)" 2019 Stan Walker, Troy Kingi, Maisey Rika Faith Hope Love
"Amine"[42] 2020 Ka Hao Mōhau (Live Visual Album)
"E Tama Hikairo" 2022 Te Matatini, Ōpōtiki-Mai-Tawhiti Non-album song

Notes

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  1. ^ "Ka Mānu" did not enter the New Zealand top 40 chart, but peaked at number 20 on the Hot 40 Singles Chart.[37]
  2. ^ "Stay" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 10 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[40]

References

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  1. ^ "Tauranga by-election results: Olympian Mahé Drysdale set to become mayor". RNZ. 20 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Macfarlane, Kristin (11 October 2013). "Ria Hall hits a new high note". The Daily Post. APN News & Media. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  3. ^ Macfarlane, Kristin (16 May 2013). "Ria Hall wins at Music Managers Awards". The Daily Post. APN News & Media. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  4. ^ a b Macfarlane, Kristin (7 October 2011). "Local songbirds Anna Hawkins and Ria Hall". The Daily Post. APN News & Media. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  5. ^ "Ria Hall - AudioCulture". www.audioculture.co.nz. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Award-Winning Musician Ria Hall Announces Candidacy For Mayor Of Tauranga". Scoop News. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Ria Hall - SOUNZ". sounz.org.nz. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  8. ^ a b Alexander, Mike (22 July 2013). "Ria sings praises of marae life". Stuff.co.nz (Fairfax New Zealand). Archived from the original on 3 December 2013.
  9. ^ "2012 Vodafone NZ Music Awards Winners" (Press release). New Zealand Music Awards. 2 November 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  10. ^ "Stan Walker feat. Ria Hall – Like It's Over". charts.nz. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  11. ^ "AIA Marae DIY › Presenters". Māori Television. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  12. ^ Screen, NZ On. "NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  13. ^ Screen, NZ On. "NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  14. ^ Gillespie, Kiri (5 May 2024). "Tauranga election 2024: Singer Ria Hall announces bid for Tauranga mayoralty". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Tauranga by-election results: Olympian Mahé Drysdale set to become mayor". RNZ. 20 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Discography Ria Hall". Recorded Music NZ. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  17. ^ Peak positions for Ria Hall's albums on the NZ artists top 20 albums chart:
  18. ^ "Rules of Engagement". iTunes. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  19. ^ "Manawa Wera". iTunes. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  20. ^ "Ria Hall - EP". iTunes. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  21. ^ "Rob Ruha's Biography". The Arts Foundation. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  22. ^ "Ria Hall Releases New Single 'Love Will Lead Us Home'". New Zealand Music Commission. 24 November 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  23. ^ a b "Ria Hall Announces Performances Across NZ in Support of New Album". New Zealand Music Commission. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  24. ^ G, Andre (2017). "RIA HALL FT. MARA TK, "BLACK LIGHT"". Impose Magazine. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  25. ^ "Te Ahi Kai Pō". Loop. 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  26. ^ "'Cause & Effect' is the first single from Hall's second full length album". Concert Monkey. 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  27. ^ "Ria Hall - 'Flow' New Single Out Now". muzic.net.nz. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  28. ^ "Music News - Ria Hall releases hard-hitting political anthem 'Owner'". muzic.net.nz. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  29. ^
  30. ^ Peak positions for Ria Hall's singles on the NZ Artist singles chart:
  31. ^ "Top 20 New Zealand Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  32. ^ "New Zealand single certifications". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 21 November 2021. {{cite web}}: |archive-url= is malformed: timestamp (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)[dead link]THE FIELD archive-url MUST BE PROVIDED for NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATION from obsolete website.
  33. ^ Williams Entertainment (8 October 2013). "J Williams Launches Williams Entertainment". Scoop. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  34. ^ "Top 20 New Zealand Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 27 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  35. ^ McQuade, Cindy (17 December 2015). "Star in Tiki's new video". Bay of Plenty Times. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  36. ^ Black, Taroi (11 August 2019). "NZ artists band together with new song 'Ka Mānu' for Ihumātao". Te Ao: Māori News. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  37. ^ "Hot 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  38. ^ "LISTEN: Tiki Taane drops new single with an important message". George FM. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  39. ^ "Tūtahi". NZ on Screen. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  40. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 27 April 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  41. ^ "Kono 003". Loop. 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  42. ^ "Mōhau (Live Visual Album)". iTunes. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
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