My Version: Nikau Grace.
My Version chats to Kiwi stars and people of influence to give a glimpse into their time as a teen and see the things they are currently obsessed with!
This New Zealand Music Month, we are putting a focus on our country’s amazing up-and-comers.
This May, one of Aotearoa’s leading platforms championing Māori music, Waiata Anthems, returns with a suite of new waiata and video content.
Say hello to Waiata Anthems young wahine, Nikau Grace.
Obsessed RN.
Currently bingeing:
It’s hard at the moment to find time, but when I do get the chance, my Mum and I rewatch ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. I remember her watching it while growing up, so it’s cool to be able to watch it with her now. I’m also always keen to watch any and every Marvel movie.
Song on repeat:
A couple songs that I’ve been constantly listening to for years now are ‘If Only’ by TEEKS and ‘Playin’ the Game’ by Bow Wow. I also really love the band Lake Street Dive, Maddison Ryann Ward, SZA, Cat Burns and am currently in my Bruno Mars phase again. I can also listen to TEEKS all day, everyday, sing every lyric word for word and will never get sick of him.
Favourite Insta account to follow:
I love following @zendaya cause growing up I’d watch her on ‘Shake It Up’ and ‘K.C. Undercover’ and now I watch her in ‘Spider-Man’, ‘The Greatest Showman’, ‘Dune’ and everything else she’s amazing in. It’s cool though to see the other stuff she gets up to and just her being herself, because she is such a multitalented person, and an all-round amazing human.
Must have beauty product:
I prefer to stay as far away from makeup whenever I can, but really love skincare. My go-to product is currently ‘The Ordinary’ after searching for ages to find what works best for my skin.
The item of clothing I’m definitely over wearing:
My mum and I really love Jordans, and have a bit of a collection and whenever I’m not at school, they're pretty much the only shoe brand I wear. They’re definitely my most worn clothing item.
Currently reading:
I’m currently reading ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ by Sarah J. Mass. I only really got into reading a few years ago but will now read whenever I have time.
Snacking on:
I have a massive sweet tooth from my dad, so I’m pretty content with anything with sugar. I also really love to snack on the High Mark Crispy Noodles.
Can’t stop watching on TikTok:
I love watching renovations, and follow this chick who does the funkiest stuff. I also watch heaps of gym accounts, and my friends would say that my whole for you page is covered in animal videos.
Dreaming of:
Making it in the music industry. It’s always been my dream to sing, and things are really starting to happen now, so hopefully that dream will become reality and I’ll be performing around the world (fingers and everything crossed).
Next place on the list to travel to:
I haven’t really travelled much, my Netball team was invited to Fiji last year to play in their nationals. That was amazing, the whole culture was just beautiful. The only other place I’ve been is Australia when I was about seven or eight. I honestly wanna go everywhere, but especially Europe, specifically Greece.
I’m currently inspired by:
I’m always inspired by the people around me. My friends and whānau, but my mums in particular are who I am most inspired by. They are the best mums I could ask for, are hard working, and still manage to run around and make sure I do the things I need to do (and that’s not always an easy task).
My favourite way to relax is:
Spending a nice rainy day at home with the mums and cats, watching movies or playing games together.
I stay healthy by:
This year has been a bit different, as I would normally be playing one or two sports each season, but had to drop a few to prioritise my music. Instead I make sure to eat relatively healthy, not skip breakfast, I enjoy going to the gym with my sister and just surrounding myself with people who I can be myself around.
When I was younger…
One thing I love about Gen-Z is:
I was born into what I’d like to think of as the generation of change. We have our own voices, our own opinions. I know we still have a long way to go, but the amount of change we have already made is quite significant. I am in awe of some of the incredible young women of my generation… Amanda Gorman, Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai and so many more.
If I could give my teenage self one bit of advice, what would it be:
hahahahaha… I am still a teenager!
My dream job as a teen was:
Becoming a world-known singer/songwriter. I don’t actually remember a time when I didn’t want to be a singer, when I was younger I wanted to be a singing Silver Fern, as well as an Olympic throwing medalist, a horse rider, teacher etc… I think overtime and as I got older it became just singer/songwriter and the rest as backup plans, not becoming all of them at the same time.
My favourite part of being a teenager is:
Being able to perform with some of the best in the Aotearoa music industry, having amazing opportunities and meeting all these incredible people who help me to be the best I can be… all while still getting to be a teenager. As much as you’ll hear me complain about school, it gives me a sense of normalcy, reminds me that I am a teenager, and that I don’t yet have to worry about financial stability or my job etc… but actually whether I’m gonna pass my English assessment and normal teenage stresses..
Best piece of advice I ever received as a teen was:
“Talent can only get you so far”. You come to a point in your life when you can no longer just fly by on your talent and actually have to start working on your dreams and aspirations.
My first job was:
Performing. I started singing at cafes, then smaller functions, into bigger gigs and then the Rotorua Night Markets and so forth…
My biggest fashion faux-pas was:
I mean, considering I am still a teen, I don’t think I can properly notice my faux-pas because I am more than likely still wearing it or whatever. But when I was younger I wanted a fringe so I decided it would be a good idea to cut it myself. I did it at primary school behind a bookshelf with no mirror, and when my teacher saw I was sent to the principal’s office. It just so happened that my mum was my principal… at the time Justin Bieber was all the buzz, so before going into her office I flipped my hair over, like his style, to hide the fringe. Obviously there was no hiding though, and it didn’t help that I cut it basically one or two centimetres down from my hairline.