Rob Ruha


An accomplished musician, composer, kapa haka expert, knowledge holder, weaver and academic, Rob Ruha is credited with coining the term “haka-soul”. He is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in the landscape of contemporary Māori music.

Rob Ruha (Te Whanau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Tainui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa, Nga Puhi, Rongowhakaata, Ngā Ariki) was born in Gisborne in 1980. He talks often and proudly of his childhood on Te Tai Rāwhiti, in the small coastal community of Wharekahika. A close relationship with his grandparents and upbringing on the East Coast immersed in Ngāti Porou and Te Whānau-ā-Apanui daily life would be formative on his passions and work.

Ka Hao - 35 (feat. Rob Ruha)
Rob Ruha.
Rob Ruha - Taera (2021)
'Mai anō' - Rob Ruha live at the Korakora festival (2016)
Rob Ruha on the cover of New Zealand Musician, Dec / Jan 2015.
Rob Ruha at the Apra Silver Scroll Awards.
Rob Ruha & The Witch Dr. - Kalega (2017)
Rob Ruha.
Soundcheck for ‘Revolutions’, a 2017 Auckland Arts Festival show at the Spiegeltent. Pictured are Rob Ruha, Jon Toogood, Warren Maxwell, Moana Maniapoto. Audio is on RNZ's website.
Photo credit: Andre Upston Collection
That's Where I'll Be - Rob Ruha (2022)
Rob Ruha, Tama Waipara, Maisey Rika, and Seth Haapu at the APRA Silver Scroll Award, 2015.
Photo credit: Amanda Ratcliffe
Waiaroha - Rob Ruha, featuring Maisey Rika (2015)
I te pō, by Rob Ruha, performed by "the Rū-Cru" (2016)
Rob Ruha - Kariri (feat. Tiki Taane) (2016)
Ka Mānu, nā Rob Ruha (2019)
Indigenous 100 - Episode 28 - Rob Ruha
Rob Ruha, 2021
Photo credit: Publicity image

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