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Olivia Foa’i is a singer, songwriter and filmmaker who has had a lifelong career of championing her Pacific Island roots on the world stage. First in the Internationally acclaimed Polynesian band, Te Vaka, with whom she toured to 40 countries as a dancer and singer, and featured on several of their songs including their 2017 hit “Lakalaka”, for which she directed the music video. In 2016 Olivia's voice was heard in cinemas all over the world as she sang the opening song "Tulou Tagaloa" for Disney's Moana and featured throughout the movie’s soundtrack including “Logo Te Pate” and “Know Who You Are”. 2018 saw the launch of Olivia’s solo career with her single “My Way (ft. Matatia Foa’i)”. Described in The Guardian as 'one of the biggest stars in Pacific Music', she was awarded 'Best Female Artist' at the 2020 and 2023 Pacific Music Awards. Her debut solo album 'Candid' also won the Tui for ‘Best Pacific Album’ at the 2020 Aotearoa Music Awards.
"Soaked with integrity the album showcases her ability to write in English and Tokelauan, delivering the integration of Polynesian sounds and culture into the Western pop and RnB realms in perfect harmony." - Nefertiti Teare (NZ Musician Mag) The album featured both English and Gagana Tokelau, a language considered "severely endangered" by UNESCO. This fact became a strong talking point of her career. Olivia went on to write the Tokelauan theme song, "Mai Anamua", for the documentary "Pacific Mother" which collected numerous awards including "Best New Zealand Feature" at DocEdge 2023. November of 2023 saw the release of her sophomore album, "Tūmau Pea" ("everlasting"), a further exploration into both her modern and Pacific Island influences which earned her 3 nominations at the upcoming 2024 Pacific Music Awards for “Best Album”, “Best Female Artist” and “Best Pacific Language”. "...this nine-song collection is classy, consistent pop of rare intimacy with something to say..." - Graham Reid (The NZ Listener) In 2024, Olivia began touring her music, starting with headlining Brisbane Festival's "Pasifika Made", while also working on the soundtrack for Moana 2 alongside her father, Opetaia Foa’i, and the Te Vaka family. Olivia featured on 5 songs from the movie including the credit song "We're Back (Te Vaka version)" for which she directed/starred in the 2025 music video released through Disney Music. Currently Olivia is producing a documentary about her family's band, Te Vaka, a project very close to her heart, which has been underway since 2018. |
Olivia wins "Best Pacific Album" at the Aotearoa Music Awards 2020
On the "Blue Carpet" at the World Premiere of Moana (2016)
At the premiere for Moana 2 (2024)
Olivia performed alongside father, Opetaia, at the NZ Music Awards (2017)
With Dwayne Johnson at Disney's
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