Whirimako Black

Whirimako Black
Black in 2024
Background information
Origin	New Zealand
Genres	World music, jazz, soul
Years active	2000–present

Barbara Whirimako Black MNZM (born c. 1961) is a New Zealand Māori recording artist and actress.^[1]

Black sings mostly in the Māori language,^[1] uses traditional Māori musical forms and collaborates with traditional taonga pūoro instruments. Her musical achievements include composing and singing the titles for the acclaimed Television New Zealand series, The New Zealand Wars, as well as composing with Hori Tait the initial title music for the Māori news programme, Te Karere. In 1991, she formed the female Māori band Tuahine Whakairo but left in 1993, to start a solo career.

Born in Whakatāne,^[1] Black is of Ngāti Tuhoe, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Whakatohea, Te Whanau-a-Apanui, Te Arawa, and Ngāti Awa descent.

Black bears a traditional Maori tattoo, or moko, on her face.

In the 2006 New Year Honours, Black was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Māori music.^[2]

Black made her acting debut in the 2013 film White Lies. She was nominated for the Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actress.^[3]

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