Moana Maree Maniapoto MNZM (born 22 June 1961) is a New Zealand singer, songwriter and documentary maker,Widely considered as one of New Zealand's most successful indigenous acts, her music is described as a fusion of traditional Maori haka, chants and taonga puoro, with contemporary soul, reggae and classical styles,Maniapoto was born in Invercargill, New Zealand and attended St Joseph's Maori Girls' College in Napier, She is said to have paid her way through law school by singing covers in the highly competitive Auckland club circuit,

In 1987, Moana released "Kua Makona", as part of an effort to show New Zealand youth the consequences of alcohol abuse. The song featured in the RIANZ Top 50 singles chart.