Auckland-based singer-songwriter Jaqualyn Taimana Williams (Jacqui), has a new album to share.  

Diverse in her tastes, Jacqui has written and performed music in many genres.  

Her new single ‘Waiho Mai’ is a catchy Te Reo Māori song, sure to become a regular in your music collection.

The sentiment behind ‘Waiho Mai’ is about offering help and manaakitanga as a teacher.  

Written when Jacqui arrived in Invercargill after the first Christchurch earthquake, and

having just completed a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning degree.  

Based on the stats for Māori learners, Jacqui decided to make it her personal mission to do whatever she could to make a difference for Māori learners. 

Applying for work in a bilingual preschool at the time, Jacqui says; 

“Writing this song helped me embody the right attitude to win the position and continue my teaching and learning journey with aroha and deep commitment”

   Stream 'Waiho Mai' Here  //  Purchase 'Waiho Mai' Here

Jacqui has teamed up with producer Tim Skedden (Op Shop, The Feelers, Babysitters Circus)

 at Kog Studio to create sixteen robust, 

engaging and seriously catchy indie rock/pop songs representative of many years of song writing and performing live.  

With no shortage of pedigree musicians willing to input their talent, Jacqui’s album ‘Statues Of Liberty’

features tenacious drum work by Corey Friedlander (City Of Souls), 

spunky bass lines by Clint Harris (Op Shop) and Marika Hodges (Troy Kingi, Hollie Smith),

 and tasty keyboard by Stephen Small (the Verlaines). 

A passionate bilingual artist, last year also saw the release of ‘Waiata Tamariki’.