15 Facts About Hinewehi Mohi

Hinewehi Mohi was born in Waipukurau in the Hawke's Bay Region, New Zealand, and is of Ngati Kahungunu and Ngai Tuhoe descent.

Hinewehi Mohi attended St Joseph's Maori Girls' College in Taradale, New Zealand, later receiving a BA in Maori from the University of Waikato in 1985, where she was heavily involved with kapa haka groups.

At the University of Waikato, Hinewehi Mohi was mentored by musician and lecturer Hirini Melbourne.

Hinewehi Mohi began working as a television producer in the mid-1980s, focusing on Maori-related content.

In 1992, Hinewehi Mohi released her debut single "Kia U", a Maori language song describing the mistreatment of Maori in New Zealand.

Hinewehi Mohi released her debut album Oceania in 1999, and was a success, becoming double platinum certified in New Zealand.

In 1999, Hinewehi Mohi performed the New Zealand National Anthem at the opening game of the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

Hinewehi Mohi was asked to sing the anthem and she requested permission to sing it in both English and Maori but was told that she could only sing it in one language, with the unspoken expectation that it be performed in English.

Hinewehi Mohi decided to sing the anthem in Maori instead, which received wide backlash in the New Zealand press at the time.

Hinewehi Mohi was bemused by the reaction, after being immersed in spaces in New Zealand that had celebrated Maori culture.

In 2004 Hinewehi Mohi set up the television production company Raukatauri Productions, which has produced shows such as Moteatea and Marae DIY, which won the best reality show award at the 2007 Qantas Television Awards.

Hinewehi Mohi was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2008 Birthday Honours for her services to Maori.

In 2015, Hinewehi Mohi was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of Waikato.

In 2016, Hinewehi Mohi received the Te Puni Kokiri Te Reo Maori Champion Award at the Women in Film and Television New Zealand Awards.

Hinewehi Mohi was inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs in 2020.