Wellingtonians are in for a treat this year, with Te Kahureremoa Taumata aka Ladyfruit performing for her third time at the Out in the Park fair. The mother of two from Ko Ngāti Kahungunu me Ngāti Tuwharetoa oku iwi, grew up Wainuiomata, went to boarding school in Hawkes Bay and lives in J'ville with her partner and family. “I've been singing and writing music all my life,” says Te Kahureremoa, “but only in the last five years have I come out of my bedroom, and started sharing my music with the world. Inspired by Hone Tuwhare, Hirini Melbourne and Robyn Kahukiwa, she says; “I used to be really shy and kind of ashamed of singing and being a song writer. But many things have helped me come out of my shell. I see it now as sharing, and there's nothing wrong with sharing, sharing is actually an awesome thing to do.” “My daily hustle involves many things all smashed together. Some days I'm boss Mama. Other days you might find me travelling around Wellington with my guitar and my taonga pūoro telling stories to kids. I'm a television presenter, and an artist. I'm really privileged to be given opportunities to make money from my crazy creative pursuits.” Te Kahureremoa says having a head full of things she needs to get off her chest inspires her to write; “Writing music is therapy for me and it's how I make sense of the world.” Drawn to storytelling, music is currently the way she expresses her stories but not the only way. “I’m the one in my family who always entertains the kids with a story, it's a powerful thing to create a world using nothing but imagination and words.” Her third time performing at Out in the Park, Te Kahureremoa says she “feels it's important to be visible in any choice kaupapa and community. “The LBGTI is a beautiful community of people celebrating, and owning who they are, and supporting others to do the same - that's something that I'm staunch about as a human, I want to be part of anything that's supportive, inclusive and done with kindness and love.” She says community means tautoko, whānau and kai and the issue she believes New Zealand needs to address? “You need to buy me food and drinks and have a whole night free if you want to go there with me! Seriously.” she jokes. The “beautiful colourful people” are what she is most looking forward to this Wellington Pride Festival “and kai - obviously”. - 7th March 2016