Theia – Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land): 13th Floor New Song Of The Day
Award-winning singer and songwriter Theia delivers a scathing haka on her hard-hitting new bilingual waiata, Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land) – the new single from her upcoming debut album.
Here is the blurb with more:
On Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land), Theia sets traditional Māori composition and instrumentation against an alternative/indie soundscape. This is heard loud and clear in the impassioned haka and a resounding pūtaratara (conch) atop marching drums, masterfully conveying the song’s stark sentiment: “Despite two centuries of oppression, we the tangata whenua (people of the land), are still here!”
The powerful message in ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’ is amplified by a haunting video, in which Theia is flanked by fellow wāhine Māori.
“So often the feminine narrative becomes overlooked when we discuss the plight of indigenous cultures in the face of colonisation. We fail to recognise the deeply harmful impact on women and children and ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’ speaks directly of these traumas – through the lens of the Māori experience,” Theiasays.
The video was filmed in the Waitākere Ranges by Aotearoa-born, UK-based director Ruby Harris and features Te Aniwaniwa Paterson, Kaea Heke, Bobbie Baileyand Eva Mairangi. “We are all in colonial-style dress, appearing as cult-like apparitions held within the forest, portraying uniformity, loss, rage and feminine strength,” says Theia.
‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’, which Theia co-produced with Abraham Kunin (TE KAAHU, Dalai Lama, Home Brew, Jujulipps) follows on from the release of BALDH3AD! a protest anthem, which earned Theia a nod at this year’s Aotearoa Music Awards for ‘Single of the Year’.
Currently based in Los Angeles, Theia will open for pan-continental four-piece Los Bitchos at Zebulon on July 22, where she’ll reveal more new songs. Get tickets here.
‘BALDH3AD!’ and ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’ will feature on Theia’s upcoming debut album. Stay tuned for the date announcement!
About Theia:
A descendant of the Ngaati Tiipaa, Ngaati Aamaru and Te Ahiwaru people from the Waikato-Tainui tribal confederation, Theia is a fierce proponent for the revitalisation of Māori language and culture and is celebrated for weaving her native tongue into her politically charged anthems. This includes BALDH3AD!, which was nominated for ‘Single of the Year’ at the 2025 AMAs, and now her new single, ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return the Land)’.
‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return the Land)’ and ‘BALDH3AD!’ are both from Theia’s upcoming debut album and signal a new direction, as she moves further away from the commercial pop sound that established her as one of Aotearoa’s rising stars, into an alternative/indie sonic landscape, where she skillfully traverses genres and boldly pushes into unchartered territory. This is evident in her use of traditional Māori composition, such as haka, and instrumentation (pūtaratara), which she blends with contemporary beats and production to create a sound all of her own.
The enormity of taking such a creative risk at this point has not been lost on Theia but she wouldn’t have it any other way. “You only get one shot at making a debut album, and I felt this compelling need to create more than just a bunch of songs that sound great together or fit neatly on radio or streaming playlists. I wanted to explore – through music and storytelling – the historical impacts of colonisation on my iwi and the subsequent cultural revitalisation.”
“It sounds heavy, and it is, but it’s influenced by all that my people have endured and all that is happening around me right now. I hope it will resonate with those who take a chance on it.”
Theia has also drawn international attention for her award-winning alt-folk project, TE KAAHU, in which she writes, records and performs solely in te reo Māori. TE KAAHU occupies its own space on streaming platforms and was awarded the Taite Prize: Best Independent Debut in 2023, as well as being nominated for every major music prize in New Zealand in 2022/23.
Currently based in LA, Theia tours both projects throughout North America.
Follow Theia:
Instagram / Facebook / Website
Spotify / Apple / YouTube
