By Libby Te Rauna and Vito Malo (Nonumalo) - Scans here

In 1999, within one of Lower Hutt's larger suburbs, Naenae, a young singer/songwriter was beginning to establish herself on the music scene as a formidable prospect for the future as she wowed the audience at the Hutt Valley Smokefree Rockquest. She walked away with the first place title, as well as the Most Promising Woman Musician award, and went on to the regional finals in Wellington. Here and now in 2003, New Zealand has the chance to see this promising award winner display her talents on a much larger stage as, not one but, two writers for Taiohi, both with links to Naenae, talk to songstress Brooke Fraser.

Brooke, who is a melting-pot-mix of Fijian, Samoan, Scottish, Spanish and 'Kiwi', at just 19-years-old, is perhaps one of the younger artists we have seen come from New Zealand and, while she may share some similarities with another young New Zealand singer/songwriter . Brooke is very much her own person.

'People can never quite pick what I am, and sometimes it's a bit off-putting when they stop you on the street, or in shops, and are like . 'What are you?' Whenever people find out I have Island blood, they're like, 'Oh, yeah, you can tell by your lips'. My freaking lips!' laughs Brooke.

'I lived in the same house, in the same street, right from when I was a baby to when I left last year to move to Auckland. Growing up in Naenae was safe, most of the time . but definitely not sheltered'.

Naenae, which is North of Wellington, is an area that has had its fair share of bad publicity in the past, yet it has instilled an obvious pride in Brooke. 'A couple of weeks ago I found a 'Naenae Hotel' truckers hat in an op-shop on K'Road (Auckland) . I so had to buy it!'

Brooke, who attended Naenae College, is glad that she didn't necessarily grow up in a wealthy, upper-class family. 'I think having 'humble beginnings' is far better for character building and for having a sense of how the real world works. Naenae has balls mate and, if you grow up there, some of it is bound to rub off on you. You can choose to be influenced by the environment around you and continue to be who you are, or become the environment around you . I think the former is far better. I've seen too many people I went through school with become the environment we grew up in, throwing away plans for tech, university or apprenticeships because if they did, they'd have to step out of their comfort zone. If you're always avoiding the scary stuff, you'll never find out what it is to be brave . and that kind of life sucks'.

Brooke is obviously someone who has a great deal of control of her own life, but it's a control that is based on her own personal, realistic achievement. 'I don't always do it very well, but I try, and I've found that the opportunities have come'.

'I finished Year 13 Bursary and was signed to a record label the next year. I had received some label interest a few years earlier when I was in Year 11 but, at that time, it wasn't the right thing for me. I knew it was important for my own peace of mind and for my own discipline to see school through to the end. I decided I was there to get my A Bursary, so that's what I did. Stuck it out, finishing what you start . that's an important part of being a person with integrity, I reckon'.

Brooke's first single 'Better' features Temuera Morrison, of Once Were Warriors and Shortland Street fame, on the video and her album is due out in October of this year. 'I really mean the stuff on this album. I believe it. These songs capture the truth I base my life on. Yes, I'm hoping people will enjoy this record and be entertained by it and want to listen to it heaps, but my loftiest ambition for this record is hoping it'll mean something to people'.

Brooke has also worked as a Editor/Music Editor for a Christian magazine for youth, and believes that she would probably be a music journalist herself if not for the music career.

'As young people, one thing we do have is time and opportunity. I reckon everyone, regardless of background, culture, achievements or mistakes, has something unique and valuable to offer the world. It's each individual's responsibility to find out what that is and do it. If anyone tells you that you can't do it, or that you don't have anything to offer (and there will be people who will try to tell you that), you've got to get over it and respectfully tell them to stick it, that's what I think'.

Brooke, like many young people, is aspiring and working hard to achieve her dreams and goals but she leaves her future open for the meantime. 'I think it would spoil the fun if I did know what was going to happen, so I'm content to just be hooked up with the one who does know what the future holds for me'.

There is no doubt that we will continue to hear more of Brooke Fraser in the future, and with her album coming out very soon, things, we're sure, will only get Better.