BIO 2023

In high demand as the most decorated Māori Music export from Aotearoa-New Zealand, Rob Ruha is a boundary breaking artist.
He brings indigenous music into Pop-Culture with sold out live shows, major commercial radio airplay, charting success and multi-award winning titles in Aotearoa, NZ.

Possessing the rare genius of creating undeniable multi-lingual music with broad international appeal, Rob is a viral sensation with hits like ‘35’ and ‘Taera’ racking up millions of views and streams.

“Taera glistens with authentic Aotearoa roots.” (The Rolling Stone)

A powerhouse of progressive Māori music, his third album “Preservation of Scenery” won Best RnB Album at the Aotearoa Music Awards and attracted global attention with the opening track ‘Taera’ hitting number 1# on the Pacific Top 20 Charts while single ‘That’s where I’ll be’ went to number 1 in Aotearoa.

The Tik Tok hit ‘35’ with youth choir KA HAO went on to pick up the prestigious Silver Scroll Award for best song in Aotearoa-NZ, number 1 spots on national charts and platinum sales records, catapulting Rob to A-rotate playlists throughout the country and abroad.

Among other recent accolades was the Supreme Matariki Award for outstanding contribution to Aotearoa and exemplary achievements in music as well as the illustrious Huia Kaimanawa trophy as a performer for the winning 2023 Te Matatini team Te Whānau a Apanui.

“Ruha has definitely got some pipes and croons across the twelve tracks like a latter-day Maxwell.” (Stuff.co.nz)”

With a knack for creating memorable experiences, Rob Ruha and the APO
(Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra) performed to a capacity crowd and rave reviews with an international nod as a finalist in the ‘Best Live Sound’ category of the prestigious 2023 New York Festivals Radio Awards. Headline slots at festivals like The Lantern Fest and Waitangi day in Porirua have also seen events draw record crowds.

Rob attracted recent collaborations with heavy hitters Six60, Drax Project, Toronto based The Halluci Nation, Hawaiian artist Josh Tatofi, local hero’s KINGS, Jon Lemmon, Tyna Keelan, Marley Sola, Whenua Patuwai, Pere Wihongi and producer Rory Noble.

He is the current Musical Director for the Disney Reo Māori reversion
of Coco as well as ‘Moana’, ‘FROZEN’ and ‘Lion King.’ He was music director for the 2021 and 2022 Silver Scroll Awards and the 50 track album project TM50 celebrating 50 years of Te Matatini.

In late 2023, Rob Ruha will launch a Māori Music World Tour with a national tour of recent works and new unreleased music.

WHAKAPAPA

Te Whānau a Apanui / Ngāti Porou / Tainui / Ngāti Tūwharetoa / Te
Arawa /Ngā Puhi / Rongowhakaata / Ngā Ariki