MĀ was first played on NTS on 14 October 2022. Songs played include Hikoi.

Maarire Brunning-Kouka, known professionally as Mā, is a New Zealand singer-songwriter based in Wellington. Her music combines soul, hip-hop and the Māori language, and has been described as "casual in the extreme, downtempo and welcoming".

Mā released her debut album Breakfast with Hades in August 2021 to critical acclaim. She has also performed as "Mā and the Flying Hunnies" and for her side project Iti Bubbas, for which she released the album Idiot Check in 2023.

Mā is Māori, the daughter of the late Nancy Brunning (1971–2019), an actress, director and playwright, and Hone Kouka, also an award-winning playwright. She descends from Ngāti Raukawa on both sides of her family, as well as Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu and Tūhoe. An only child, she grew up as a self-described "theatre kid" due to her parents' work.

Mā released her debut album Breakfast with Hades on 2 August 2021. Thematically, it discusses different moods in her life since the death of her mother, Māori literature, and culture. The opening track, 'Dreamswimmer', was named after the book by Witi Ihimaera, and was about insomnia after her mother's death.

In 2024, Mā released an all-Māori single titled 'Pūhā me te Porohewa' to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Waiata / Anthems project. Waiata / Anthems is a compilation album by New Zealand artists, whereby they re-record previous songs from English to Māori language.

2025 saw the release of a second album, Blame It On The Weather (https://nzmusic.org.nz/music-industry-news/ma-releases-sophomore-album-blame-it-on-the-weather/)