Wiki Baker

Wiki Baker QSM is a vocalist and community worker from New Zealand. [1]

Baker's first solo public performance was as a child at a basketball association concert in Temuka, South Canterbury. She attended St Joseph's Māori Girls' College in Hawkes' Bay and joined the school choir there. In 1958 Viking Records recorded the choir, with Baker as soloist, releasing an album Maori Songs of Enchantment. The album eventually sold over 300,000 copies.[2]

After finishing her schooling Baker moved to Wellington and began singing with the Ngāti Poneke Maori Club and on television on the show Maori Chorale. She also formed a band called the Phoenix Show Band and performed in cabaret shows.[2]

In 1974, Baker sang at the opening of the Commonwealth Games, held in Christchurch, New Zealand.[1] The same year, Viking Records invited her and the St Joseph's choir to re-record their initial album, which was re-released in 1976 as Maori Love Songs.[3] The album sold over 100,000 copies and both the choir and Baker were awarded Golden Discs.[4] Viking also invited Baker to work on a recording New Zealand Maori Chorale.[2] In 1979, after singing tours around New Zealand, Fiji and Australia, Baker settled in New South Wales.[2]

In 1988, Baker returned to New Zealand and settled at Arowhenua. She became involved in a number of community organisations focused on education and social services, including the Ngai Tahu Trust Board, the Aoraki Conservation Board, Te Waka Toi (Maori Arts Board), the National Maori Choir and the Kai Tahu Maori Choir.[2][5] She also became involved with Women's Refuge and has served on the board of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship Society.[1]

Recognition

In 2009 Baker received the Queen's Service Medal for her commitment to her community and to the music industry.[6] In 2015, her biography was included in an exhibition by Otago Museum focusing on the lives of notable women of Ngāi Tahu.[7]

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References
  1. "Timaru duo awarded medals". The Timaru Herald. Fairfax New Zealand. 30 March 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  2. Hakui: Women of Kai Tahu. Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago Museum Trust Board. 2015. p. 63.
  3. 1960s-2009, Baker, Wiki, active; Choir, St. Joseph's Māori Girls' (1976-01-01). "Maori Love Songs/Wiki Baker with the St Joseph's Maori Girls College Choir (Viking VP409) | National Library of New Zealand". natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  4. "Gold disc for Maori choir | National Library of New Zealand". natlib.govt.nz. 1976-04-20. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  5. (DOC), corporatename = New Zealand Department of Conservation. "Canterbury/Aoraki Conservation Board appointments". Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  6. "Wiki Baker | The Governor-General of New Zealand". www.gg.govt.nz. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  7. "Otago Museum's "Hākui: Women of Kāi Tahu" Exhibition – Gauge". www.ngataonga.org.nz. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
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