Rob Ruha is of Te Whanau-a-Apanui and Ngati Porou descent, and has Ngati Rangiteaorere and Tuhourangi ancestry.
12 Facts About Rob Ruha
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Rob Ruha grew up performing kapa haka, and as a teenager, Ruha moved to Porirua, Wellington, and was inspired to become a musician while attending Mana College.
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Rob Ruha returned to Gisborne to complete high school, and at 17, won the Aotearoa Traditional Maori Performing Arts Festival award for Best Waiata Tira as a part of the Waihirere Maori Club.
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In 2004, Rob Ruha moved to Hawaii to manage the Aotearoa section of the Polynesian Cultural Center.
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In 2007, Rob Ruha graduated with a master's degree in Matauranga Maori.
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Rob Ruha's debut extended play Tiki Tapu was recorded at a home studio in Hamurana on the shores of Lake Rotorua, and produced alongside Michael Barker of Split Enz.
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In 2016, Rob Ruha worked as a music consultant and performer for the soundtrack of the Lee Tamahori-directed film Mahana, and in 2017 was the musical director for the Te Reo Maori translation of the Walt Disney Pictures film Moana.
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In January 2020, Rob Ruha produced released a live album of gospel waiata in te Reo, sung supergroup Mohau.
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In 2021, the Rob Ruha-produced Te Tai Rawhiti choir Ka Hao released their debut single "35", which became a hit single in New Zealand, gaining popularity on TikTok during Te Wiki o te Reo Maori.
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Later that year, Rob Ruha released his third studio album, entitled Preservation of Scenery.
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In 2022, Rob Ruha worked as the co-musical director of The Lion King Reo Maori, alongside Pere Wihongi.
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Rob Ruha is married to music manager Cilla Rob Ruha, who he met at high school.