Theia

Singer and songwriter Theia (Waikato, Ngaati Tiipaa, Ngaati Aamaru) is at the forefront of a new generation of young creatives in Aotearoa determined to smash through the glass ceiling. She is celebrated for her fearless anthems, heart-breaking ballads, and captivating live shows. In November 2025, the award-winning artist released her debut album Girl, In A Savage World - an epic body of work, which respected music critic Graham Reid described as “one of the most important albums of the year”. He added: “Here are aural references to the art music of Meredith Monk, Laurie Anderson and Kate Bush and other experimentalists… An intelligent, provocative work that sidesteps easy categorisation to create a space and platform of its own.” Rolling Stone AU listed Girl, In A Savage World as #3 in their Top 50 Albums of 2025; and the album’s lead single BALDH3AD! was a finalist for ‘Single of the Year’ at the 2025 AMAs. All singles on the record received radio support from NZ’s student radio network and were championed by Seattle’s KEXP and CBC Reclaimed, with radio play on Indigenous radio in North America. A fierce proponent for Indigenous rights and the revitalisation of Mãori language and culture, Girl, In A Savage World is rooted in giving permanence to mātauranga about the impacts of colonisation and the subsequent cultural revitalisation through music and storytelling. Sonically, it is a glorious alternative fusion of ethereal folk, Indigenous soul, and art rock influences.