Biography
Maisey Rika is a New Zealand singer, songwriter and composer who performs in English and Maori. She was born on 10 May 1983 in Wellington, New Zealand, to a mother of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui (Māori tribe) descent and a Samoan father. Her mother was a singer who greatly encouraged her daughter's talents from a young age.She began singing professionally at the age of 13 and at 15 she was chosen as the lead singer on E Hine, a collection of traditional Maori songs released in 1997. The album won the award for Best Maori Language Album at the NZ Music Awards in 1998. Rika attended the University of Waikato where she studied psychology, education and Maori language.She has recorded 5 original albums which all have reached the Top 40 in the Official New Zealand Music Chart. She lives and works in New Zealand.