Ria Hall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ria Hall
Hall in 2016
Background information
Born	1982/1983 (age 41–42) Maungatapu, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Origin	Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Genres	New Zealand hip hop * New Zealand reggae * soul * R&B
Years active	2011–present

Ria Hall is a talented Māori recording artist, singer, and songwriter from New Zealand. She also works as a television presenter. Ria Hall has released two solo albums, Rules of Engagement (2017) and Manawa Wera (2020). Her music often shares stories about Māori society and history. She sings in both the Māori and English languages.

Ria Hall was born in Tauranga and grew up with a strong background in kapa haka, which is a traditional Māori performing art. She became well-known after singing the New Zealand national anthem at the opening ceremony of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Her first music collection, called Ria Hall EP, was released in 2011. It won the award for Best Māori Album at the 2012 New Zealand Music Awards. Her first album, Rules of Engagement, tells the story of the Battle of Gate Pā, an important historical event. She won Best Māori Female Artist for this album. Her second album, Manawa Wera, reached number 10 on the music charts. In 2021, her song "Te Ahi Kā Pō" won a major award called the APRA Silver Scroll.

Ria Hall has also been a television presenter for Whakaata Māori, a TV channel that shares Māori culture. She has worked with other famous New Zealand artists like Stan Walker and Troy Kingi. In 2024, she ran for Mayor of Tauranga in her hometown.

Ria Hall's Early Life and Music Journey

Ria Hall was born in 1982 or 1983 in Maungatapu, Tauranga. She grew up on a marae, which is a traditional Māori meeting ground, with her three older sisters. She is Māori and belongs to several important Māori tribes, including Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Ranginui. She went to Maungatapu School, Tauranga Intermediate, and Tauranga Girls' College.

While in high school, Ria became very interested in singing through kapa haka. She later joined a kapa haka group called Waka Huia. One of her biggest musical inspirations was Che Fu's 1998 album, 2 B.S. Pacific. She said this album was very important for New Zealand's hip-hop, soul, and R&B music scene.

In 2006, Ria moved to Wellington to study political science at Victoria University of Wellington. There, she started a reggae band called Hope Road. She also began singing with the band TrinityRoots in 2010.

Key Music Achievements

Ria Hall sang at the opening ceremony of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Later that year, she released her first music collection, the Ria Hall EP. This EP won the Best Māori Album award at the 2012 New Zealand Music Awards. In 2013, she sang on Stan Walker's song "Like It's Over".

From 2012 to 2013, Ria was a presenter on Māori Television's show AIA Marae DIY. Her first full album, Rules of Engagement, came out in 2017. This album is a concept album, meaning all the songs are connected by a theme. It tells the story of the Battle of Gate Pā, a significant historical battle. The album featured other artists like Tiki Taane and Che Fu. For this work, Ria won Best Māori Female Artist at the Waiata Māori Music Awards.

Her second album, Manawa Wera, was released in 2020. It included songs with Rob Ruha and L.A.B. This album reached number 10 on the Official Albums Chart in New Zealand. Her song "Te Ahi Kā Pō" won the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll award in 2021.

Ria Hall has also worked with many other musicians, including Hollie Smith and Fly My Pretties. She has three children and still lives in Tauranga.

Ria Hall's Involvement in Politics

On May 5, 2024, Ria Hall announced that she would run for Mayor of Tauranga in the local elections. These elections were the first for Tauranga since its city council was temporarily stopped in 2021. Ria Hall has always been a strong supporter for her community in Tauranga through her music. She finished third in the election. She congratulated the winner and said it was an "absolute privilege" to run for the council.

Ria Hall's Musical Style and Influences

Ria Hall performing with TrinityRoots in 2010.

Ria Hall describes her music as mainly roots and reggae. She also includes sounds from ragga, soul, and hip hop music. Growing up, she listened to a lot of reggae, soul, hip hop, and R&B music. Her mother also enjoyed country music.

Ria Hall's Music Releases

Studio Albums

Extended Plays (EPs)

Singles

Songs Featuring Ria Hall

Promotional Singles

Guest Appearances on Other Albums