Tōku Tuakiri

Tōku Tuakiri to me is who you are, how you identify, the people who help make me, me. I still haven't quite figured out my identity yet, but I'd say I've got time. I don't believe I have to know it all now, there's no pressure to have all the answers.

– Nikau Grace on her waiata 'Tōku Tuakiri', Music Managers Forum Aotearoa

I was really confused about who I was because people kept telling me I’m not who I am, I’m not Māori because I don’t look it. I’d say (the song) got me through a lot of hard times when I really didn’t know who I am and it’s just my way of telling myself I am who I am and no one else can change that or tell me differently.

– Rotorua singer Nikau Grace on drawing strength from her waiata, The NZ Herald,

I was struggling to see where I fit, I thought it would be easier to quit, then one day it dawned on me, I have something no one can take away from me, my identity...

– Lyrics from Nikau Grace's bilingual waiata 'Tōku Tuakiri'

When you’re a young kid, you don’t really think about things like that, but the comments began when I hit intermediate school and I did find it hard to deal with...It wasn’t until starting high school that I became more assertive and started telling people, ‘No, I am Māori".

– Nikau Grace on being told she wasn't really Māori, The NZ Woman's Weekly, 5 August 2023