about

Kāren Hunter : music as joy, service & healing.

Kāren Hunter is a Pākeha New Zealander with Cornish, Irish and Scottish ancestry. She offers music to awaken humanity by creating soundscapes that draw from the deep well of collective spirit.

She channels her musical messages straight from the heart through lyric, looper, guitar, voice, mandolin, drum, jaw harp and flute.

With over 40 years experience as a performer and songwriter, Kāren writes love songs to Papatūānuku, Ranginui and all of their children.

Each album in her collection has it’s own atmosphere, from rootsy songs, celtic dub, spoken word to ambient music, Kāren is a diverse and eclectic composer. 

Kāren holds a Masters of Music degree from the University of Auckland where she also taught on the Popular Music programme for several years. Kāren has also taught music privately and at M.A.I.N.Z Auckland campus ( Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand ). Kāren has also taught music in prison, youth clubs, community Arts festivals, music festivals, teachers training groups and facilitation courses to name a few.

Kāren was part of the facilitation team that delivered the Circle Stage at Prana Music Festival in Coromandel in 2015 and 2016. Kāren has been part of Luminate Festival’s Opening ceremony music crew for several years.

Kāren often accompanies other artists and has accompanied festival favourite Matiu Te Huki on international tours to Europe and Australia. Kāren has also performed as part of the duo AnaKārena with Anahera Higgins, and collaborated with Carlos Riegel on his healing sound journeys.

Kāren holds a diploma in Facilitation from Zenergy Global. As a Zenergy facilitator Kāren has provided facilitation services to the transformational festivals Luminate, Prana, Resolution and Evolve.

Festival appearances :  Luminate, Prana, Splore, Earthbeat, Evolve, Voices of Sacred Earth, Resolution, NZSpirit, Tui Festival, Sweetwaters, Parihaka, Womad Akld, Auckland Arts Festival, Conscious Roots, Taranaki Festival of Lights, Dunedin Fringe, Taupo Erupt, Titirangi Arts, Christchurch Jazz, Solrise, NZ International Yoga Festival, Harmony, Whitianga Scallop, Hero Festival, Whitecliffs Folk Festival (NZ), Michagin Wimmin’s Festival, East Coast Women’s Festival (USA) , Frankston Guitar Festival, Woodford Festival (Matiu te Huki trio) (AUS) , Femme Funk (N.C)

Collaborations : Ora.Vida.Life, Matiu Te Huki, Anahera Higgins, Kalaish Kokopele, Shona Laing, Dave McArtney, Ross Hill, Awakening Circus, Magic Box Experience, Rhiannon, Christine White, Sexy Recession Cabaret, Alfalfa Meo, AfghaniStan, Linda Chanwai Earle, Tui Mamaki, Mama Yeva, Beata Borcek, Tomas Hasygn, Carlos Riegel, Redwood Reider, Leraine Horstmanshoff, DJ Rire Yoga, Wild Seed Yoga, Jules Bright Cacao Ceremonies, Auckland Yoga Academy Kirtan, Green Eggs & Ham, Plastic Smiles

Opening act for: Ani Difranco, Suzanne Vega, Blue House, Robin McGuin, Mahinaarangi Tocker, Tiddas, Tony Childs, Matiu te Huki, Hello Sailor, Paul Ubana Jones, Beverley Martin, Julie Felix, Dave McArtney amongst others.