Next Wave: The Future Sound of Aotearoa

TE AO MĀORI | ISSUE FIVE | PUORO O AOTEAROA / LOCAL MUSIC

Written by Ivy Lyden-Hancy (she/her/ia) | @tekaraipiture | Contributing Writer

There has been a wave of new sounds, aesthetics, and lyricism that is reshaping how we, as a nation, see music. Artists nationwide are stepping into their artistry, showing us what the future sound of Aotearoa is. I am privileged to be in spaces surrounded by these talented artists. People I call my friends and family have shaped how I see music. Kuini Sheba, QUESTION and TAKATAPUNANI are artists who bring a fresh heat to the music scene.

Kuini Sheba represents a wave of Māori artists who merge whakapapa and sound. What makes her a true trailblazer is her commitment to normalising te ao Māori in mainstream genres like reggae, hip hop, and R&B. Her ability to move effortlessly between singing, rapping and pūoro shows a level of versatility that sets her apart from many emerging artists. Kuini’s work signals a shift in Aotearoa music, where young Māori artists are reclaiming space and reshaping what it means to be a Māori artist. Her presence in the industries encourages other rangatahi to embrace their reo. As she continues to release music, Kuini Sheba is weaving a legacy for her community and the future of indigenous music in Aotearoa 

Artist Bio:

Kuini Sheba (Ngati Kuri) is a reggae/hip-hop/r&b artist from Central Auckland. She is, among other things, a vocalist, guitarist, rapper, and songwriter.

Her stage presence, vocals, and personality can leave the audience in awe and wanting more. Heavy inspiration and study of a wide range of her favourite artists, as well as delving into the uniqueness of her own musical practice, has resulted in a personal and refreshing insight into her world; an insight into the generation to come in Aotearoa music.

She is currently releasing an album; the first single, “Te Ahi o Mahuika,” is available on all platforms. This is a reggae/dub track written by Kuini Sheba, fully in te reo Māori.

If you want to follow her journey, check out @kuinisheba on Instagram and other platforms.

QUESTION is part of a rising generation of South Auckland creatives who show what the South offers to Aotearoa’s music scene. His early start in production gives him a technical edge, allowing him to express the realities of his community and fanau. What makes him part of this next wave of artists is using his craft to navigate his lived experiences through music. His work reflects the voice of a new Pasifika youth movement. As he continues to grow, QUESTION is helping shift the narrative around young artists from South Auckland, proving that storytelling can be told through many forms.

Artist Bio:

Yeo! QUESTION: is a 16‑year‑old Samoan producer and artist/MC from the 278 (Papatoetoe) in South Auckland. He has been making music since 13, sharpening his craft until his recent debut as an artist within the public eye, producing his first EP "IS THAT RIGHT G?". 

Making music has allowed him to express himself in ways he had not considered before. He is exploring his identity as a Samoan with mixed heritage growing up in South Auckland. 

Follow him at @question.mp3_ for more of his mahi.

TAKATAPUNANI

Takatapunani is pushing boundaries in ways that few emerging artists in Aotearoa can. As a Māori trans woman creating music, she expands the cultural and gender landscape of the local music scene. By centring ballroom culture in her work, she is introducing audiences to a sound and perspective that are both globally connected and grounded in her whakapapa. Talatapunani’s work is worth celebrating. Her artistry signals a new era where her identity has become storytelling.

Artist Bio:

@Takatapunani is the rap alter-ego and project created by Asher McCarten (Ngapuhi). Her music is heavily inspired by club culture and the ballroom community, where she is already a local fixture.

Her debut single, ‘Perfect Ten,’ is out everywhere, and she is nearing completion of her debut mixtape, ‘Arrival,’ due early 2026. Takatapunani has released tracks such as ‘Filthy Bass ft Coco Solid’ and featured on ‘WYFMP by Mimi Riverz’. Her musical practice looks at hip-hop and rap from the perspective of a Mãori trans woman, infusing body-moving production and raw, vulgar lyricism into her work.

The future is looking bright for music, art and storytelling. Next time you are on any streaming app, I recommend giving these young artists a buzz. Their songs send you in all of that good wairua, all the things that Aotearoa can offer.