Merekotia Amohau (16 April 1898–30 December 1978) was a New Zealand singer, entertainer and composer.
Amohau was born in Ohinemutu, Rotorua, New Zealand on 16 April 1898. Of MÃÂori descent, she was the youngest child of HÃÂnare Mete Amohau, a prominent leader of the Te Arawa iwi, and his wife, Tà «kau Te Hira, of the NgÃÂti Pikiao iwi. Her education took place at à Âhinemutu and Maketà «, and then from 1911 onwards she attended the Queen Victoria School for MÃÂori Girls in Auckland.
Amohau's early musical career was guided by F. A. Bennett, the superintendent of the MÃÂori mission at Rotorua at the time. In 1915, Bennett's MÃÂori Opera Company performed Hinemoa, in which Amohau played the role of Tupa. The production received mixed reviews. In 1920, Amohau played the lead role in the comic opera MÃÂrama, to great success, leading to a nationwide tour of the show. She reprised this role in 1940.
Amohau was a member of the Rotorua MÃÂori Choir and of Saint Faith's choir in à Âhinemutu. In 1930 she recorded Aroha Pà «mai.
Amohau became a foundation menber of Te Rà Âpà « o te Ora MÃÂori Women's Health League, upon its foundation by Robina Cameron in 1937. She was involved with the Taipà Ârutu Club, advising leaders, tutoring waiata, composing songs and performing and travelling alongside them. As well as composing traditional and contemporary MÃÂori music, Amohau became an expert on historical Te Arawa chants.
On the 4 February 1939, Amohau married Rongomaiwhiti Winiata in à Âhinemutu. Amohau had six children in total, three of whom she had with Winiata. She died in Rotorua on 30 December 1978. She was buried at Kauae cemetery in NgongotahÃÂ.Amohau is the great-aunt of Anania Amohau who composed the words of the anthem of the 28th Maori Battalion.