Troy Kingi
Birth date1984 (age 42–43)
Birth placeRotorua, New Zealand[1]
Genre
OccupationSinger · songwriter
InstrumentVocals · bass · keyboards · drums[3]
Years active2013–present
LabelAllGood Absolute Alternative Records, Lyttelton Records, Hongi Slicker Records
Associated actsMara TK, Ria Hall, Maisey Rika, Stan Walker

Troy Kingi (born 1984) is a New Zealand musician from Northland.

Biography

Troy Kingi was born 1 June 1984 in Rotorua,[1][4] and was raised in Rotorua, Te Kaha and Kerikeri.[3] Kingi is of Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi and Te Whānau-ā-Apanui descent.[3][4] He began learning guitar at Te Aute College in Hawke's Bay, and formed his first band, Toll House, at Kerikeri High School.[3] Toll House entered the Smokefreerockquest, winning the regional Northland competition.[3]

Since the early 2000s, Kingi has lived in Kerikeri.[4] He studied at the Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand in Auckland, and on returning to Kerikeri fronted a number of short-lived bands, including Mongolian Deathworm, Kingkachoo, Troy Kingi and the Tigers, Full Moon Street and Typhoon Fools,[3] while also working as a scuba instructor and fruit picking in Kerikeri orchards.[1] Kingi's work with Typhoon Fools gained him more widespread attention, and led to him being cast in the film Mt. Zion (2013).[3][5] Kingi also featured on the film's soundtrack,[6] and after the film's release, toured New Zealand with the film's lead actor Stan Walker.[7] Kingi released his first extended play in 2013.[7] His appearance in Mt. Zion led to further work as an actor, including The Pā Boys (2014) and Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016).[3] Kingi collaborated on the Stan Walker song "Aotearoa" (2014), a song created part of a Te Wiki o te Reo Māori project for a song sung in Māori language to reach number one in New Zealand, something that had not been seen since Pātea Māori Club's "Poi E" in 1984.[8][9]

Kingi set himself the goal of releasing 10 albums in the span of 10 years, performing in 10 different genres.[3][10] The first in this series was Guitar Party at Uncle's Bach (2016), a double album recorded live in seven days at Lyttelton, New Zealand.[3] At the Waiata Māori Music Awards, Kingi won the awards for best Māori pop artist and best solo male artist.[3] His second album, the soul-psychedelic Shake That Skinny Ass All the Way to Zygertron (2017), featured "Aztechknowledgey", which was nominated for the APRA Silver Scroll award.[11] Holy Colony Burning Acres (2019) was a political roots reggae album featuring songs that discussed subjects including West Papua, the Inuit, Hawaiʻi and Aboriginal Tasmanians,[3][1] The album won the 2020 Taite Music Prize.[3]

In 2020, Kingi released The Ghost of Freddie Cesar, an album inspired by a cassette tape Kingi found in the belongings of his father, who disappeared in 2005.[2] The cassette tape since went missing, and the album was a re-creation of what Kingi remembered of the tape, blended with his own interpretations and original content.[2] The album was a commercial success, reaching number two on the New Zealand albums chart.[12] Kingi's 2021 album, Black Sea Golden Ladder, was written in four days at an apartment on Clyde Wharf in Wellington Harbour, as a part of the Matairangi Mahi Toi Artist Residency programme.[13] The album was co-produced with New Zealand singer-songwriter Delaney Davidson.[13]

Kingi plans to retire as a musician after releasing 10 albums, to become a music producer and a gardener at land he owns in Ōkaihau.[4]

Personal life

Kingi's father disappeared around Christmas 2005, while driving between Rotorua and Auckland.[2] Kingi has five children with his wife Huia,[4] and works with the Raid Movement, a group combatting youth suicide in Northland.[3]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
NZ
[14]		NZ
Artist
[12]
Guitar Party at Uncle's Bach
(Troy Kingi & the Electric Haka Boogie)
  • Released: 18 November 2016[15]
  • Label: Lyttelton Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
—13
Shake That Skinny Ass All the Way to Zygertron
(Troy Kingi and the Galactic Chiropractors)
  • Released: 28 November 2017[16]
  • Label: AllGood Absolute Alternative Records
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
171
Holy Colony Burning Acres
(Troy Kingi & the Upperclass)
  • Released: 12 July 2019[17]
  • Label: AllGood Absolute Alternative Records
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
—11
The Ghost of Freddie Cesar
(Troy Kingi & the Clutch)
  • Released: 11 September 2020[18]
  • Label: AllGood Absolute Alternative Records
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
21
Black Sea Golden Ladder
  • Released: 18 June 2021[20]
  • Label: AllGood Absolute Alternative Records
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
32
Year of the Ratbags and Their Musty Theme Songs
  • Released: 7 October 2022[21]
  • Label: AllGood Absolute Alternative Records
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
22
Time Wasters: Soundtrack to Current Day Meanderings
  • Released: 17 November 2023[22]
  • Label: AllGood Absolute Alternative Records
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
11
[23]		1
Leatherman & the Mojave Green
  • Released: 16 August 2024[24][25]
  • Label: AllGood Absolute Alternative Records
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
5
[26]		1
Troy Kingi Presents: Night Lords
  • Released: 28 November 2025
  • Label: AllGood Absolute Alternative Records
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
18
[27]		2
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Reissues

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
NZ
[14]		NZ
Artist
[12]
Pū Whenua Hautapu, Eka Mumura[A]
(Troy Kingi & the Upperclass)
  • Released: 24 June 2022[28]
  • Label: AllGood Absolute Alternative Records
  • Format: LP, digital download, streaming
183

Extended plays

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
NZ
Artist
[12]
Troy Kingi
  • Released: 21 October 2013[29]
  • Label: Hongi Slicker Records
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
16

Singles

As lead artist

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
NZ
Hot
[30]		NZ
Artist
Hot
[31]
"Break a Bone"[32]2015——Guitar Party at Uncle's Bach
"Cold Steel"[33]
(featuring Mara TK)		2016——
"Just a Phase"2017——
"Ethiopia"[34]2019——Holy Colony Burning Acres
"Babylon Grows"[10]——
"All Your Ships Have Sailed"[2]2020294The Ghost of Freddie Cesar
"Chronophobic Disco"[35]—8
"First Take Strut"
(featuring Neko)		2021——
"Call My Name (School)"[13]—10Black Sea Golden Ladder
"Sleep (Slumber)"[36]——
"He Ōrite"[37]
(with the Nudge)		—16
"Paparazzo"[38]2022—7Year of the Ratbags and Their Musty Theme Songs
"Bastard"[39]2023—14Time Wasters
"Through the Night"2024——rowspan="2"
"Matariki Hunga Nui (Calling Me Home)"
(with Rob Ruha and Kaylee Bell)		202521—
"Hori on a Hoiho"33—Troy Kingi Presents: Night Lords
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.
TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
NZ
[40]		NZ
Artist
[41]
"Aotearoa"
(Stan Walker featuring Ria Hall, Troy Kingi and Maisey Rika)		201421rowspan="4"
"Look Up"[43]
(Sorrento featuring Troy Kingi)		2018——[B]
"Ka Mānu"[44]
(Bella Kalolo, Maisey Rika, Majic Pāora, Ria Hall, Rob Ruha, Seth Haapu, Troy Kingi, The Witch Dr.)		2019—[C]20
"Stay"[45]
(among Tūtahi)		2020—[D]16
"Tūrangawaewae"
(Tipene featuring Maisey Rika & Troy Kingi)		2021——[E]Heritage Trail
"Seedling"[46]
(10:32 featuring Troy Kingi)		——
"The Way We Were"[47]
(Blklist featuring Troy Kingi)		2022——
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Promotional singles

TitleYearAlbum
"Maumaharatia"[F]2019
"Te Wai Nō Rua Whetū / Aztechknowledgey"[48]2021Kono 003

Other charted songs

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
NZ
Artist
[31]
"Shake that Skinny Ass"20205The Ghost of Freddie Cesar
"Caught in the Rain"12

Guest appearances

TitleYearOther artistsAlbum
"Lion Trail"2013Small AxeMt. Zion: Music from & Inspired by the Motion Picture
"Ain't No Sunshine"2014Whenua PatuwaiThe Soul Sessions
"T'ariki Tama o Mere"2016Maisey RikaTira
"The Next Generation"2017Cam Galbraith
"Abundance"2018MelodownzMelo & Blues
"The View"2019L(())ve & Hope, Mara TK, Ed Waaka
"Hold On"9-5ers, Tyla PereDay in the Life
"Mahi"DharmaratWlknz
"Aotearoa (English Version)"Stan Walker, Ria Hall, Maisey RikaFaith Hope Love
"Tama i Tukua"[49]2020Ka HaoMōhau (Live Visual Album)
"Break My Heart"Spellspellspell
"Star to Star"Sola RosaChasing the Sun
"Water"2021Julien DyneModes
"Every Hori Is a Star"Mara TKBad Meditation
"Tūwhitia Te Hopo (Te Reo)"2022Te Kuru Dewesrowspan="2"
"Poi Pūkeko"Te Matatini, Tū Te Manawa Maurea
"That Love"Melodownz, Avondale Intermediate ChoirLone Wolf

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013Mt. ZionHoneAlso featured on soundtrack
2014The Pā BoysTolaga Local
2014The KickPiri Weepu
2016Hunt for the WilderpeopleTK
2017Kiwi ChristmasTama
2018The Breaker UpperersCoach
2018Alien AddictionForestry worker
2020TokeHenare
2022MuruMooks
2024The MountainTuxAlso composed soundtrack[50]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2015Find Me a Māori BrideDavid6 episodes. 1 self-appearance
2021The PanthersPussy Smith3 episodes. Also soundtrack contributor.
2021The Masked Singer NZSelf7 episodes.

Notes

  1. ^ A Te Reo Māori re-recording of Holy Colony Burning Acres.
  2. ^ "Look Up" did not enter the New Zealand artist top 20 chart, but peaked at number 4 on the New Zealand artist Hot 20 Singles Chart.[51]
  3. ^ "Ka Mānu" did not enter the New Zealand top 40 chart, but peaked at number 20 on the Hot 40 Singles Chart.[52]
  4. ^ "Stay" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 10 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[53]
  5. ^ "Tūrangawaewae" did not enter the New Zealand artist top 20 chart, but peaked at number 14 on the New Zealand artist Hot 20 Singles Chart.[54]
  6. ^ Māori language version of "Lest We Forget" from the Troy Kingi EP (2013).[55]

References

  1. ^ Husband, Dale (23 June 2019). "Troy Kingi: Sticking to your guns". e-tangata. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  2. ^ "WATCH: Troy Kingi releases new track and announces upcoming album". Radio New Zealand. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  3. ^ Reid, Graham (5 March 2020). "Troy Kingi". Audio Culture. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  4. ^ Ling, Jenny (31 July 2021). "Northland musician Troy Kingi on why Black Sea Golden Ladder is so personal". Northern Advocate. New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  5. ^ Timutimu, Rahia (4 February 2013). "Mt Zion Premiere in Auckland". Te Ao: Māori News. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Mt. Zion - Ost - Soundtrack". JB Hi-Fi. Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  7. ^ Forbes, Mihingarangi (4 November 2013). "Native Affairs – Troy Kingi". Te Ao: Māori News. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  8. ^ "Aotearoa Stan Walker Ria Hall Maisy Rika Troy Kingi". flava.co.nz. 22 July 2014. Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  9. ^ "Stan Walker Released new song Aotearoa". morefm.co.nz. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  10. ^ "VIDEO PREMIERE: Troy Kingi 'Babylon Grows'". Radio New Zealand. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Anatomy of a Scroll: Troy Kingi, 'Aztechknowledgey'". Radio New Zealand. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  12. ^ Peak positions for Troy Kingi's albums on the NZ artists top 20 albums chart: * For Troy Kingi EP: "Official Top 20 NZ Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2022. * For Guitar Party at Uncle's Bach: "Official Top 20 NZ Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 28 November 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2022. * For Shake That Skinny Ass All the Way to Zygertron: "Official Top 20 NZ Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023. * For Holy Colony Burning Acres: "Official Top 20 NZ Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 22 July 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2022. * For The Ghost of Freddie Cesar: "Official Top 20 NZ Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2022. * For Black Sea Golden Ladder: "Official Top 20 NZ Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2022. * For Pū Whenua Hautapu, Eka Mumura: "Official Top 20 NZ Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 2 July 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2022. * For Year of the Ratbags and Their Musty Theme Songs: "Official Top 20 NZ Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022. * For Time Wasters: Soundtrack to Current Day Meanderings: "Official Top 20 NZ Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023. * For Leatherman & the Mojave Green: "Official Top 20 NZ Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 26 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024. * For Troy Kingi Presents: Night Lords: "Official Top 20 NZ Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  13. ^ Kean, Annabel (14 May 2021). "Troy Kingi Announces New Album + Shares Single / Video 'Call My Name'". Under the Radar. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  14. ^ "Discography TROY KINGI". Recorded Music NZ. Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  15. ^ "Guitar Party at Uncle's Bach". iTunes. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  16. ^ "Shake That Skinny Ass All the Way to Zygertron". iTunes. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  17. ^ "Holy Colony Burning Acres". iTunes. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  18. ^ "The Ghost of Freddie Cesar". iTunes. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  19. ^ Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  20. ^ "Black Sea Golden Ladder". iTunes. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  21. ^ Ryan, Charlotte (23 September 2022). "First song: Troy Kingi" (in en-nz). Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  22. ^ Cheong, Samantha (17 November 2023). "Listen To Troy Kingi's New Album 'Time Wasters: Soundtrack to Current Day Meanderings'". Under the Radar. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  23. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  24. ^ "Leatherman & the Mojave Green". Bandcamp. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  25. ^ Lewry, Fraser (16 August 2024). ""A real labour of love": Troy Kingi pays tribute to desert rock on Leatherman & The Mojave Green". Louder Sound. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  26. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 26 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  27. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  28. ^ Cudby, Chris (27 June 2022). "Listen To Troy Kingi's Album 'Pū Whenua Hautapu, Eka Mumura'". Under the Radar. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  29. ^ "Troy Kingi - EP". iTunes. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  30. ^ "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2022. * "Matariki Hunga Nui (Calling Me Home)": "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025. * "Hori on a Hoiho": "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  31. ^ Peak positions for Troy Kingi's singles on the NZ artist hot singles chart: * For "All Your Ships Have Sailed": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2022. * For "Shake that Skinny Ass", "Chronophobic Disco" and "Caught in the Rain": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2022. * For "Call My Name (School)": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2022. * For "He Ōrite": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2022. * For "Paparazzo": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022. * For "Bastard": "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  32. ^ "'The Royal Bash' Queen's Birthday Weekend - Paihia Pavilion". muzic.net.nz. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  33. ^ "Troy Kingi and Mara TK: Cold Steel". Radio New Zealand. 25 June 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  34. ^ "Troy Kingi & the Upperclass ‘Ethiopia’". Base FM. 30 July 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  35. ^ Cudby, Chris & Sami, Priya (11 September 2020). "Troy Kingi Shares New Album 'The Ghost of Freddie Cesar' + Interview". Under the Radar. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  36. ^ Bevan, Darren (11 November 2021). "Troy Kingi, TEEKS, LAB nominated for Aotearoa Music Awards". Stuff. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  37. ^ Kean, Annabel (14 May 2021). "Troy Kingi and The Nudge Share Single 'He Ōrite'". Under the Radar. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  38. ^ Cudby, Chris (23 September 2022). "Watch Troy Kingi's Video For New Single 'Paparazzo'". Under the Radar. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  39. ^ "Troy Kingi – Bastard: 13th Floor New Song Of The Day". The 13th Floor. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  40. ^ "Discography Stan Walker". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  41. ^ Peak positions for Troy Kingi's singles on the NZ Artist singles chart: * For "Aotearoa": "NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 26 July 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2021. * For "Ka Mānu": "NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2022. * For "Stay": "NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 25 April 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  42. ^ "Aotearoa" (single). 2015-07-24. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  43. ^ "VIDEO PREMIERE: 'Look Up' by Sorrento ft. Troy Kingi". Radio New Zealand. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  44. ^ Black, Taroi (11 August 2019). "NZ artists band together with new song 'Ka Mānu' for Ihumātao". Te Ao: Māori News. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  45. ^ Brookes, Emily (15 April 2020). "Anna Coddington, Stan Walker and other Kiwi artists release coronavirus lockdown charity single, Stay". Stuff. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  46. ^ "10:32 lead singer Bridget Walsh to play at Snails in Palmerston North". Manawatu Guardian. The New Zealand Herald. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  47. ^ "BLKLIST's New Single 'The Way We Were' Ft Troy Kingi Is Out Today". New Zealand Music Commission. 5 August 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  48. ^ Kean, Annabel (30 August 2021). "Listen To Troy Kingi's 'Te Wai Nō Rua Whetū' From 'Kono 003'". Under the Radar. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  49. ^ "Mōhau (Live Visual Album)". iTunes. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  50. ^ Ockhuysen, Stephanie (21 March 2024). "The Mountain brings glitz, glamour and a bit of red carpet to New Plymouth". Taranaki Daily News. Stuff. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  51. ^ "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  52. ^ "Hot 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  53. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 27 April 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  54. ^ "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  55. ^ "Maumaharatia". Bandcamp. 25 May 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2022.