Gigi Crayford (Hine) Releases Debut EP KA MUA KA MURI and Launches Winter Tour
Gigi Crayford, who performs under the name Hine, has released her debut EP KA MUA KA MURI on Friday 25 July 2026. The five‑track collection blends traditional Māori instruments (taonga pūoro) with jazz‑folk arrangements and lyrics in both te reo Māori and English. The EP’s second single, “OVER THE BONES,” is dedicated to the lessons of ancestors and is accompanied by a video that mixes contemporary footage with Creative Commons archival material.
The EP’s release coincides with the start of Hine’s winter tour. The first show is scheduled for Saturday 25 July in Auckland’s Big Fan venue, where she will perform with the group Huia. Subsequent dates include a performance at St Peters Hall in Paekākāriki on 7 August, a show at Lyttelton Coffee Co. in Ōhinehou on 15 August with Ariana Tikao, and a Wellington appearance at St Peters on Willis on 23 August with Casual Healing. Tickets are available through the UnderTheRadar (UTR) platform.
Hine is a songwriter and multi‑instrumentalist from the Kahungunu, Tūwharetoa and Raukawa iwi. She plays auto‑harp, piano, guitar and hand‑carved taonga pūoro. According to her Bandcamp page, the EP was written and recorded in 2026 and is now available in full for streaming and download.
The “OVER THE BONES” video was filmed at Staglands Wildlife Reserve in Akatarawa by photographer and filmmaker Mumu Moore. The footage was edited by Hine herself and incorporates archival images from Archives NZ. In a statement accompanying the video, Hine explained that she sought counsel from various sources, including the Māori organisation TOI IHO, and reached out to kaitiaki (guardians) of the archival material. She received consent for some footage but was unable to locate kaitiaki for others. Hine clarified that she does not claim ownership of the archival content and invites any guardians to contact her at gigi@hinemusicnz.com.
The video also features photographs of Hine’s ancestors: Mere Riripeti Whakaraurahi Porangi, George Down, Maria Ngarita Floyd Down, Emily Floyd, Matewai Wickham and Olga Delaney. These images are presented with the artist’s words, “He waiata tēnei mō ngā tūpuna. To the legacies and lessons of our ancestors.”
The EP’s title track, “KA MUA KA MURI,” is dedicated to Papatūānuku and was announced as the first single. The EP’s release schedule was confirmed by UnderTheRadar in a news post on 22 July, noting that the full collection will be available on the same day as the Auckland tour kickoff.
Hine’s work is part of a broader trend of contemporary Māori musicians integrating traditional instruments and language into modern genres. The EP’s use of taonga pūoro and bilingual lyrics aligns with efforts by New Zealand artists to preserve and promote Māori cultural heritage through popular music.
The EP is currently available for purchase and streaming on Bandcamp and can be followed on Hine’s Facebook profile. Support for the release and tour is encouraged through UTR, which also hosts the ticketing for the tour dates.
In summary, Gigi Crayford’s debut EP KA MUA KA MURI has been released on 25 July 2026, accompanied by a winter tour that will run through August. The EP showcases a blend of traditional Māori instrumentation and contemporary songwriting, and the “OVER THE BONES” video highlights the artist’s commitment to ancestral respect and cultural stewardship.
