Hareruia ‘RUIA’ Aperahama is a Mäori composer and recording artist hailing
from New Zealand.
Ruia’s brand of music is a roots / world crossover sung in a Mäori/English bilingual mix (Ruia is a native speaker of the Mäori language).
Ruia is adept on a variety of musical instruments - saxophone, keyboard and guitar – as well as a superb and passionate vocalist.
A gifted singer/songwriter comfortable in traditional or contemporary musical environments, Ruia is one of the few composers to emerge from New Zealand with such multi-dimensional musical gifts.
This musical flexibility provides a distinct advantage when it comes to writing unique tunes based on traditional chants or catchy choruses and melodies using todays pop boundaries.
Ruia grew up in the small rural settlement of Ratana Pa, (home of Maori Prophet of the 1920's era T.W. Ratana 'Te Mangai' founder of the Ratana Church and Movement).
Ruia's participation in the church brass band and choir as well as various contemporary bands and involvement in kapa haka (traditional dance groups) during his formative years have given him a unique ability to cross musical boundaries with ease.
Ruia has written, recorded and released songs as lead vocalist and composer with groups such as Southside of Bombay, penning the top five hit ‘What’s the Time Mr Wolf’ which achieved gold sales status, and highlighted in the infamous Once Were Warriors feature film.
Ruia has also composed and performed for Moana and the Moahunters on 'Tahi' and 'Rua', and ‘Toru’ albums.
Ruia is the leading instigator of the ‘Prophecy’ music project, showcased at WOMADelaide, WOMAD Aotearoa, 2000 Olympic Festival of the Dreaming in Sydney, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and represented in Europe in 2003 at the Cultural Olympiad in Greece.
Recently Ruia and his band Haakiwa have performed at the inaugrual Ngapuhi Festival, at Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival and in Taranaki at WOMAD NZ 2005.
In January 2005 the 2004 International Songwriting Competition announced Ruia as a finalist in the World Music category and he won honorable mention for his song 'Ko Te Tohu' which appears on his latest album Hawaiki.
Ruia and twin brother Ranea released the album ‘Whare Mäori’ in late 2000, which was nominated as a finalist in the New Zealand Music Industry’s Tui Awards.
A limited release tribute concept, ‘Waiata of Bob Marley, again had the Aperahama brothers sharing vocal duties, covering a selection of Bob Marley’s songs sung completely in Maori.
Ruia released his debut solo album, Hawaiki, in January 2004, which coincided with an extensive tour of New Zealand. This album won the 2004 New Zealand Music industry Award for Best Maori Album. He also won the 2004 APRA Maioha Award for the song 'E tae' also off the Hawaiki album.
He is presently working on a new album with Producer Chris Macro (Katachafire/Whirimako Black), due to be released in 2007.
Ruia has been awarded honorary status of the Toi Iho cultural quality assurance mark by Government Arts Agency Creative New Zealand/Te Waka Toi.
Ruia has also been actively involved in other creative endeavours such as co-presenting a family entertainment television programme 'MAORIOKE' , as well as making guest appearances on other locally made televison shows.
Ruia lent his writing and drawing talents to, 'TAIKI E!, a regular Maori language youth magazine for New Zealand schools, and has also provided professional development for teachers in the area of traditional and contemporary Maori music.
At present Ruia hosts two radio programmes currently broadcasting on one of New Zealand's major Maori radio stations, Auckland based, Radio Waatea 603AM.
Ruia is signed with independant record label Tangata Records http://www.tangata.co.nz