The measure of an artist's impact isn't just their body of work - it's also how they used their mahi and talents to foster the creativity in others.

On both front, Toni Huata's legacy hits hard. So too does the heartbreak of her passing.

The music world remains in mourning at the sudden death of the talented and giving Māori singer and composer last week - being remembered as a true champion of te reo Māori and her commitment to pass her knowledge on to the next generation.

She was formally farewelled at Pipitea Marae - filled to the brim with whānau, friends and admirers that showed the esteem she was held in - before being taken to the marae at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Kahungunu in Hastings. 

It could be argued that Huata (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongowhakaata) was destined to leave an indelible mark - it was in her blood. Her whānau has made a major contribution to Māori performing arts; Her uncle, Canon Wi Te Tau Huata, penned arguably the best known waiata in Aotearoa, Tutira Mai Nga Iwiī, with fellow family member Tama Huata, founding the Kahurangi Māori Dance Theatre in her home town of Hastings.

She was a well-regarded performer, a force of nature in live performance and a devoted advocate for te reo Māori in her impressive recording career.

Perhaps her biggest achievement came with her desire to give back to the music community, remembered fondly for her work as Kaihautū Puoro Māori - director of Māori music at the SOUNZ Centre for NZ Music.

SOUNZ paid tribute to Huata's impact at the organisation, referring to her as "indefatigable."

The organisation posted on social media "She was a powerhouse of the SOUNZ team for over five years, leading the organisation’s journey and commitment to Māori music, and producing incredible content that will be cherished for generations to come.⁠"

NZ school of dance stated "For years, Toni contributed greatly to the School, with her wisdom and mātauranga Māori, especially her teaching of the wahine.

"Toni will be remembered with reverence by all of us at NZSD and by everyone who knew her and the gifts she brought to us."

Reknowned Māori creative, collaborator and friend Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal shared his memories of Huata on Facebook.

"Toni was blessed with a beautiful singing voice which she used to great effect in a huge range of music and performing projects. She was also an unrelentingly positive person and through a combination of both her talents and her positive outlook, she became a committed advocate for Māori music. 

"She achieved this both through her music and also through formal roles such as during her time as Director of Māori Music at SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music. Toni was a multidimensional creative and advocate with music as her core or base.

"Toni and I collaborated together over a period of maybe 15-20 years in the 1990s and early 2000s. She sung some of my songs and I wrote songs for her which appear on some of her CDs. We also played together at a lot of gigs and at places like Te Papa, the Botanic Gardens, the Cuba Street Festival, Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa and even at my home. I was greatly fortunate that at a time when I needed a wonderful singer to bring my compositions to life, Toni agreed to help out. 

"Toni’s untimely and premature passing is a great loss to Māori music and creativity specifically and New Zealand music and performing arts generally. She was taken way too soon. E te tuahine, e Toni, haere rā koe, okioki mai rā i te rangimārie."

His thoughts are echoed by another close contributor and friend, performing arts headliner Tanemahuta Gray. 

He told The Big Idea "Toni was such a generous artist and arts administrator with her time to push multiple kaupapa forward, allowing opportunities for so many artists to pursue their careers. 

"I was so fortunate to work together with Toni on so many kaupapa at Taki Rua Productiins, NZ School of Dance, Wellington Theatre Awards, and her amazing portrayal of Hine-Nui-Te-Pō in our production of Māui - One Man Against The Gods. 

"She was like a sister from another mother, and a huge pou in upholding the mana wahine of the pao, karanga and beautiful waiata for so many openings and events.

"We will miss her dearly."

Leading choreographer and te ao Māori advocate Tiaki Kerei paid his own tribute on social media: "We are all a little dimmer without your light. Your voice and artistry as a vocalist and Māori musician was truly blessed by the atua. 

"I’ll never forget your mana, your joy, your strength, your expertise, and your ability to deliver flawlessly onstage."

With a flood of former students or mentees who have expressed their gratitude for her insights, support and encouragement - it's clear the talents of Toni Huata will still be felt for many years to come.