Maisey Rika impresses at library

Maisey Rika (right) sings at the library yesterday with back-up singers Te Rina and Erica Ransfield. Picture by Paul Rickard

Multi-award-winning singer, songwriter and composer Maisey Rika performed to an admiring crowd at the HB Williams Memorial Library yesterday.

Good friend, fellow musician and director of East Coast Music Tyna Keenan had asked Maisey just the week before if she could play in Gisborne.

“We had to shift a few things around, and Tyna’s my mate,” laughed Maisey.

“I love incorporating the vibe of storytelling into our waiata.”

Whakatāne-based Maisey has performed at various libraries across Aotearoa.

“When my Matariki album came out in 2020, the first place that asked us to come and perform was the Tairāwhiti Arts Festival.  It just felt appropriate to sing our brand-new songs here.”

Maisey performs in both English and te reo Māori, and her five original albums have all reached the Top 40 in the Official New Zealand Music Chart.

Her new album titled Whitiora was released earlier this month and is a full te reo album.  Maisey collaborated with a range of Māori songwriters to create original pieces, some of which were performed yesterday. She was accompanied by back-up singers Te Rina and Erica Ransfield.

Maisey says her recent album represents

to her, “a turning away from darkness and into the light — and in all that you do, do well.”