Mahinārangi Tocker

Who was Mahinārangi Tocker?

Mahinārangi Tocker MNZM was a singer-songwriter from New Zealand.

She wrote more than 600 songs in a 25-year career. Her vocal style has been compared to that of Joan Armatrading and Tracy Chapman 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. She was an open lesbian.

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.