Emma

Maori songstress Emma Paki grew up in the Ngati Awa tribal district of Whakatane. At the tender age of 8 she started singing, playing the guitar and studying piano. This early dedication was profoundly recognised seventeen years later at the 1993 New Zealand Music Awards, the local equivalent of the prestigous Grammy Awards. At this ceremony, Emma received the triple honour of Best Songwriter, Most Promising Female Vocalist and Best Music Video. In addition, that same year, she received the Best Music Video award at the New Zealand Film and Television Awards and, again, the Best Music Video award at the Flying Fish Awards. Followng her 1994 nomination for Best Female Vocalist, the accolades continued in 1996 with a double nomination for the Best Female Vocalist and Best Album catagories; the presentation of the Mana Maori Award; the New Zealand Film and Television, Best Music Video award; and the runner-up nominee for the Flying Fish, Best Music Video award. Her much anticipated 1996 debut album, 'Oxygen Of Love', reached gold status in New Zealand and provided the hit singles, "System Virtue", "Paradise", and "Greenstone", which was produced by former Split Enz and Crowded House member, Neil Finn. Negotiations are currently underway to expand on the international distribution of 'Oxygen Of Love', which has so far been released in Australia, Italy and Japan. Meanwhile, Emma is a much loved fixture on the local performing scene and she gladly took part in the auspicious mokomokal fundraising event, for which she co-composed the assertive chant, "Free The Way". This rousing rendition with the local group 'Seedless', earned the distinction of being singled out for further promotion within the mokomokai project. Emma is proud to be a Maori woman of the '90's and is aware of her status as an important role model for all Maori. Her songwriting is an honest extension of her life experiences. Their poignant lyrics reflect her personal views of society, politics, love and kotahitanga (unity) and fulfills her dream of a performance and recording career in music. Copyright AZA

CONTACT: Nigel Horrocks WEBSITE: http://listen.to/emmapaki/ Fax: +64 (09) 812 8651 Ph: +64 (09) 812 8651 Date: March 9 1998