Anika Rose Moa is a New Zealand recording artist and television presenter. After signing to Atlantic Records in the United States she released her debut albumThinking Room in 2001, aged 21. The album reached the top of the New Zealand Singles Chart and yielded four hit singles. Moa's music won the attention of record company executives after they heard a song she had sung at the Smokefree Rockquest while still a teenager. Moa has been the subject of two documentaries by filmmaker Justin Pemberton: 3 Chords and the Truth: the Anika Moa Story, recounting the story of her signing to Atlantic and the release of her first album, and In Bed With Anika Moa.
Moa signed a record deal with Warner Music in New Zealand and Atlantic Records in New York, where she recorded her first album Thinking Room on which is the track In The Morning which talks about her abortion in 2000. Moa grew homesick during her time in the United States, and became increasingly uncomfortable with the imagery used to promote her. In 2002 she returned to base herself in New Zealand. She released her second albumStolen Hill on 1 August 2005, describing the album as "more sparse" and true to herself, compared to her first. The album was certified gold. She toured New Zealand in October of that year. In 2005 Moa was one of many New Zealand musicians who contributed to single "Anchor Me", which commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the bombing of theRainbow Warrior.
2007–2012: ''In Swings the Tide'', civil union and ''Love in Motion''
In October 2007 Moa released her third studio album, In Swings The Tide, which went platinum and won a number of rave reviews. For the first time she was credited with producing the album alone. In 2009 The New Zealand Herald named Moa as one of the "Top 10 Kiwi music successes of the past 10 years". Moa came out as openly lesbian in 2007, and entered into a civil union with Australian burlesque dancer Azaria Universe in February 2010. Fyfe became pregnant with twins in 2011. Fyfe was a major inspiration for Moa's fourth album, Love in Motion, which peaked at number four on the New Zealand Albums Chart after its release in March 2010. To support the album, Moa embarked on a nationwide tour from 21 October 2010 to 4 December. Moa has collaborated with many New Zealand artists including SJD and Bic Runga. She has also performed with band Dimmer, in a backup and touring capacity. She has DJed under the name DJ Unika.
2013: ''Peace of Mind'', separation and ''Songs for Bubbas''
In February 2013 Moa released Peace of Mind with Boh Runga and Hollie Smith. Around that time she and Azaria Universe separated, and have joint custody of their twins. In November 2013 she released a children's album titled Songs for Bubbas.
Television Work
''All Talk with Anika Moa'' (2016–2017)
In September 2016 Moa debuted her interview talk showAll Talk with Anika Moa, which was broadcast for the Maori Television, developed with support from NZ on Air. The show is filmed in front of a small studio audience, and has featured appearances from a number of New Zealand celebrities including actor Temuera Morrison and musician Stan Walker. There were two series developed, each consisting of 10 episodes, as well as a special episode highlighting moments from the series. The final episode of series two aired in July 2017.
''Anika Moa Unleashed'' (2018)
In March 2018, Moa debuted a new interview show, Anika Moa Unleashed, available online through TVNZ OnDemand. In 2019 the show started showing on TVNZ 1 on Saturday nights. The show features Moa visiting the homes of notable New Zealand celebrities, public figures, and personalities. She has reportedly signed to develop twelve episodes.
Other Appearances
In April 2018, Moa had a stint as a television presenter for the current affairs programme Seven Sharp, filling in for Jeremy Wells. She co-hosted alongside Hilary Barry for several episodes. Her final broadcast was on 20 April.
