MALAYSIA, KUALA LUMPUR – 16 June 2025 – The New Zealand High Commission in Kuala Lumpur is proud to announce that award-winning Māori artist Rob Ruha and band will perform at
the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2025 in Sarawak.
Ruha (of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and Ngāti Porou descent) is an acclaimed Māori musician and Arts Laureate whose distinctive “haka soul” style blends traditional Māori performance elements with genres like R&B, soul, and reggae.
“My heritage plays a fundamental part of what I think my music is,” Ruha said. “I not only write predominantly in my first language Te Reo Māori (the Māori Language), but the themes and messages I champion in my waiata (songs) are of my people, to my people and for the world.”
His songs, which have collectively garnered millions of streams on Spotify, carry powerful themes of cultural identity, hope, love and empowerment.
“We know there is huge interest in Māori culture and performing arts in Malaysia, particularly haka” said New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia H.E. Michael Walsh. “Therefore, we are proud to be able share one of New Zealand’s most exciting Māori artists with Malaysian audiences this year”.
Ruha’s work, both as a solo artist and in collaboration with other artists/groups, has earned him multiple awards, including the New Zealand/Aotearoa Music Award for Best Māori Album, Best Worship Album, Best Soul/R&B Artist. His mentorship and support for Māori youth choir Ka Hao were instrumental in the creation of the song “35”, which became a viral hit on TikTok in 2021 and amassed millions of streams on Spotify.
Ruha was also the musical director for the Māori language versions of popular Disney movies such as Coco, Moana, Frozen and Lion King. “This is my first time in Sarawak, and I am excited to visit,” Ruha said. “I will be performing a couple of new songs and a special performance exclusively for this festival which will include elements of kapa haka. I am really looking forward to soaking up the environment, being inspired by the other artists, meeting the locals, and eating Sarawakian food!”
The New Zealand High Commission’s support for Ruha’s appearance at Rainforest World Music Festival 2025 is part of a larger cultural diplomacy initiative by the New Zealand Government to mark 50 years of dialogue partnership with ASEAN.
“2025 is a significant year for ASEAN, New Zealand and Malaysia,” said New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia H.E. Michael Walsh. “Fifty years of dialogue relations is a milestone to be celebrated and a time to highlight our legacy of partnership as we chart a course together for the next 50 years. Malaysia has always been a strong supporter of New Zealand’s ties with ASEAN, so we are delighted to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of ASEAN New Zealand relations under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship.”
Ruha is scheduled to perform at The Rainforest World Music Festival 2025 on 21 June. He is also one of the keynote speakers for the Rainforest Youth Summit, which takes place 18-20 June 2025. A biography and images of Ruha, along with further information about the ASEANNew Zealand 50th Anniversary, are also enclosed for reference and publication purposes.
