Listen Now: 
March 04, 2026
#international: Celebrated Māori Artist Theia to Amplify Indigenous Voices at the United Nations
Matthew Tukaki
Posted On March 4, 2026
Waikato-Tainui singer, songwriter and cultural voice Em-Haley Kukutai Walker – better known to international audiences as Theia / TE KAAHU – has been invited to represent Aotearoa at the 25th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York this April.
The UN forum – running from 20 April to 1 May 2026 – is a key global platform where Indigenous leaders, artists, scholars and activists gather to shape international policy on rights, culture and sovereignty. Theia will attend and speak not only at the main forum but also at several associated events, including the Indigenous Peoples Global Caucus and the Second Global Summit on Indigenous Peacebuilding, where she will present research and writings grounded in Māori peacebuilding practices centering wāhine (women).
Born in Ōtautahi and of Waikato, Ngāti Tiipaa and Ngāti Amaru descent, Theia has spent the last decade building an international reputation as a musician, songwriter and cultural storyteller. Performing across Aotearoa and North America under her dual artistic identities, she bridges alt-pop expression with deep reo Māori waiata celebrated for their emotional resonance and cultural depth.
In November 2025 she released her debut album GIRL, IN A SAVAGE WORLD, a record praised for its unflinching voice and powerful songwriting. As part of her commitments in New York, she will also take part in additional panel discussions and events focusing on language, rights and wellbeing – drawing on her own experience as both artist and Indigenous advocate.
Theia’s attendance at the United Nations forum is supported through the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples, one of only seven grants awarded globally across the seven recognised socio-cultural regions. The fund helps Indigenous representatives participate in UN processes most relevant to their communities, covering travel and basic expenses.
To help meet the remaining costs of accommodation and extended participation in New York, Theia has launched a Givealittle campaign and released a limited-edition digital single. Proceeds go towards on-the-ground support so she can fully engage with the forum’s programming and advocacy work.
This invitation to the UN marks a significant milestone for Theia – an artist whose work consistently challenges societal norms and uplifts Indigenous identity – and reinforces the global relevance of Māori voices on issues of justice, language and cultural resilience.
RELATED NEWS
