Mahinārangi Tocker
Mahinārangi Tocker MNZM (1955[1] – 15 April 2008) was a singer-songwriter from New Zealand.
Tocker 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]
In the 2008 New Year Honours, Tocker was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music.[5]
Tocker died on 15 April 2008 in Auckland's North Shore hospital following a severe asthma attack. She was 52.[4]
Discography
Albums [6]
- 1985 Clothesline Conversation
- 1987 I'm Going Home
- 1996 Mahinarangi
- 1997 Te Ripo
- 2002 Hei Ha!
- 2002 Touring (With Charlotte Yates)
- 2005 The Mongrel in Me
References
- "Mahinarangi Tocker: Singer from the heartland". Dominion Post. 24 April 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2008.
- Kiran Dass (October 2005). "The Mongrel in Mahinarangi". NZ Musician Magazine. Archived from the original on 18 October 2008. Retrieved 15 April 2008.
- "Musician Mahinarangi Tocker dies age 52". New Zealand Herald. 15 April 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2008.
- GayNZ.com (April 2008). "Singer/songwriter Mahinarangi Tocker dies". GayNZ.com. Retrieved 19 April 2008.
- "New Year honours list 2008". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- muzic.net.nz