Barbara Whirimako Black (born ) is a New Zealand MÃÂori recording artist and actress.
Black sings mostly in the MÃÂori language, uses traditional MÃÂori musical forms and collaborates with traditional taonga pà «oro instruments. Her musical achievements include composing and singing the titles for the acclaimed Television New Zealand series, The New Zealand Wars, as well as composing with Hori Tait the initial title music for the MÃÂori news programme, Te Karere. In 1991, she formed the female MÃÂori band Tuahine Whakairo but left in 1993, to start a solo career.
Born in WhakatÃÂne, Black is of NgÃÂti Tà «hoe, NgÃÂti Tuwharetoa, NgÃÂti Ranginui, NgÃÂti Kahungunu, Te Whakatà Âhea, Te WhÃÂnau-ÃÂ-Apanui, Te Arawa, and NgÃÂti Awa descent.
Black bears a traditional MÃÂori tattoo, or , on her face.
In the 2006 New Year Honours, Black was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to MÃÂori music.
Black made her acting debut in the 2013 film White Lies. She was nominated for the Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actress.