Mahinarangi Tocker

Mahinārangi Tocker, MNZM (1955[1] - 15 April 2008) was a singer-songwriter from New Zealand.

She wrote more than 600 songs in a 25-year career.[2] Her vocal style has been compared to that of Joan Armatrading and Tracy Chapman [3] She also gave lectures around New Zealand about the use of music and creativity to boost learning and self-esteem, and was an adult literacy tutor, writer and poet.

Tocker was born in Taumarunui and was of Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Jewish and Celtic ancestry.[2] She was an open lesbian.[4]

For her services to music, she became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2008 New Year's Honours List.

Tocker died on 15 April 2008 in Auckland's North Shore hospital following a severe asthma attack. She was 52.[4]

Discography

Albums [5]

References

  1. ^ "Mahinarangi Tocker: Singer from the heartland". Dominion Post. 2008-04-24. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4495040a24437.html. Retrieved 2008-05-20. 
  2. ^ a b Kiran Dass (October 2005). "The Mongrel in Mahinarangi". NZ Musician Magazine. http://www.nzmusician.co.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/article/pi_articleid/711. Retrieved 2008-04-15. 
  3. ^ "Musician Mahinarangi Tocker dies age 52". New Zealand Herald. 2008-04-15. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=513&objectid=10504255. Retrieved 2008-04-16. 
  4. ^ a b GayNZ.com (April 2008). "Singer/songwriter Mahinarangi Tocker dies". GayNZ.com. http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/2/article_5819.php. Retrieved 2008-04-19. 
  5. ^ muzic.net.nz