Your voice carries the stories of your whānau, your whakapapa, and the tīpuna wāhine who came before you.
Wāhine Waiata is a place where your voice is honoured.
A place where wāhine gather, learn, and rise together.
Wāhine Waiata is an online course with 3 main elements:
Live Online Master Classes
Where you can learn, ask questions, and receive individual feedback and attention in real time.
Vocal Training Videos
60+ pre recorded vocal training videos to develop and strengthen your vocal technique.
Waiata Resources
To help you practise waiata and karanga at home.
What's different about Wāhine Waiata?
Wāhine Waiata is grounded in both voice science and te ao Māori.
That means you will not just be told to “sing louder” or “use your diaphragm.”
You will learn what is actually happening in your body, how to avoid strain and hoarseness and how to strengthen your voice through specific vocal exercises.
You can waiata and karanga with more confidence, skill and freedom.
You can find and develop your own oro.
You can stand confidently in your own mana motuhake.
Your voice will be honoured and respected in this space.
Hinewai:
"From the very first lesson, learning about the physiology of how we create sound helped to de-mystify old memories of negative feedback and my own beliefs around singing.
The resources were outstanding. I used the vocal warm-ups daily during my 30-minute commute to work, and yes - they really do help build strength and muscle memory around the vocal cords.
My confidence began to grow during the course. I started attending more kaupapa at my marae and doing waiata tautoko. I was shaky and off-key a few times, but I kept going and began to figure out which waiata worked best with my own tone.
Late last year, I took a leap of faith and joined our Pakeke Kapa Haka for Mataatua Regionals. All I can say is, at full volume, I wasn’t asked to leave!”
Mereana:
“Before Wāhine Waiata, my voice was good, but unsure. I was holding back and not fully released.
Now I’m hitting those high notes. My karanga is sounding crazy in a wow-factor way.
Being able to freely own and understand your voice and be in control is empowering. I finally know how to use the tools we were all born with as wāhine, paeoro, oro, breathing, grounding - in a safe, empowering space.
Now my voice is strong, clear, fearless, and I’m in control.
I totally recommend Hinekoia’s class. She’s fun, engaging, crack-up, and makes everything simple. She helps you identify what’s already inside you.
What You Will Learn
Course Modules Include 60+ Pre Recorded Vocal Training Videos - (8 months access)
Vocal Anatomy (5 videos)
Aligned posture (4 videos)
Breathing for singing (6 videos)
Vocal Warm-ups (8 videos)
Using cry/tangi to extend your range (6 videos)
Why does the voice get hoarse? (7 videos)
Finding and training your karanga sound (10 videos)
How to haka and avoid getting hoarse (9 videos)
The role of the tongue in voice production (5 videos)
Vocal Health (9 videos)
7 Live, Online Master Classes!
Tuesday 2nd June 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday 16th June 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday 30th June 7:30pm - 9:00
Tuesday 21st July 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday 4th August 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday 18th August 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday 1st September 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Time zone for all Master Classes is GMT +13 (Auckland, New Zealand)
*Can’t make it live? All masterclasses are recorded and uploaded to the course platform, so you can catch up or revisit them whenever you need.
Master Class Content
Master Class 1: Whakawhanaungatanga, Introduction to Voice Gym, Vocal Warm-ups
Master Class 2: Vocal Warm-ups, Responsive Breathing and Tangi
Master Class 3: Karanga Activation (Receive feedback on your karanga oro)
Master Class 4: Guest Tutor Tracy Gilmer 'Tikanga of Karanga' Q and A
Master Class 5: Releasing Vocal Tension - Open session to recieve individual feedback
Master Class 6: Vocal Health - Open session to recieve individual feedback
Master Class 7: Reflections - Open session to recieve individual feedback
*Content may vary from schedule
Buy Wāhine Waiata and join the Course Today!
When you join Wāhine Waiata, you receive:
8 months of access to the Wāhine Waiata online vocal training course (60+ vocal training videos)
Seven 1.5-hour live MasterClass Zoom sessions with Hinekoia — a safe space to learn about your voice and receive individual feedback
8 months of Waiata Resources, including pronunciation support and beautiful backing tracks for five waiata Māori
Exclusive access to the Wāhine Waiata Community Facebook group — connect with a beautiful rōpū of wāhine who will uplift, support, and celebrate you throughout your journey
Not ready to join? Jump on our Waitlist for updates and early enrolments.
Waiata Resources
8 months access to:
General Te Reo pronunciation (8 videos)
Pronunciation videos for the waiata: Te Aroha, Tūtira Mai, Ngā Iwi E, Purea Nei, Tōku Reo
Backing tracks and guide vocals for: Te Aroha, Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi E, Purea Nei, Tōku Reo
Facebook Community
Exclusive access to the Wāhine Waiata Community Facebook group.
Connect with a beautiful rōpū of wāhine who will uplift, support, and celebrate you throughout your journey.
This course is perfect for wāhine who:
Want clear, practical training to develop strong vocal technique grounded in Te Ao Māori
Are looking for a safe, supportive space to build confidence and step forward as kaiwaiata and kaikaranga
Value being part of a motivated community where wāhine encourage and uplift one another
Are ready to gain the skills and knowledge needed to confidently lead and participate in waiata and karanga
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Yes. Wāhine Waiata is fully online, so you can access the course from wherever you are.
All masterclasses, training videos, waiata resources, and course materials are available online through the course platform.
-
There is no group singing in the live classes.
However, you will have opportunities to sing or karanga during class and receive individual feedback.
This can feel scary at first, but the group is always supportive. These moments are really valuable because they give me a chance to guide you personally, help you feel the technique working in your own voice, and support you to grow in real time.
-
Every masterclass is recorded and uploaded to the course platform, so you can catch up, rewatch, and keep practising in your own time.
-
No. You do not need to be a confident singer to join Wāhine Waiata.
This course is for wāhine of all levels - whether you are just beginning, returning to your voice, or already singing and wanting to strengthen your technique, confidence, and vocal freedom.
-
You do not need hours every day.
Even small, regular practice can make a big difference. Many wāhine use short pockets of time like driving, walking, or getting ready in the morning — to practise warm-ups and vocal exercises.
The course is designed to give you practical tools you can return to again and again.
-
Yes. The live Zoom masterclasses include opportunities for individual feedback and attention.
This is one of the most powerful parts of the course, because you can ask questions, try the technique, and receive guidance specific to your voice.
What Wāhine Are Saying About The Course:
“Through your expertise in voice science, you have helped me find the strength and courage to Karanga and to use my voice with pride in a safe and supportive space.”
— Ōriwa“I’m 8 weeks deep in this course, and I can’t even explain how quickly my oro, my waiata tangi, my karanga has improved and continues on the daily!”
— Rangihuatake“I’ve loved watching the videos and learning about voice gym. I treasure being in this space with other wāhine who are keeping our culture alive.”
— Helen