Jordyn with a Why has released a stunning te reo Māori version of “Man I Need” by Olivia Dean.
Dean’s viral sensation topped triple j’s Hottest 100 of 2025 countdown, seeing off strong competition from Tame Impala’s TikTok-boosted “Dracula”, Keli Holiday’s breakout hit “Dancing2”, and, um, Playlunch’s ‘funny’ “Keith”.
“Man I Need”, which was the third single from the English singer-songwriter’s second album, The Art of Loving, also received a nomination for Song of the Year at this year’s BRIT Awards. On the commercial front, Dean’s song peaked atop the charts in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and several European countries.
As NZ Music Month comes to a close for another year, Jordyn with a Why — real name Jordyn Fuala’au Awatea Rapana — has dropped her Reo Māori reworking of “Man I Need”. Listen below.
“OUT NOW EVERYWHEREEEEE. tag Olivia Dean & get us on that opener in October 
Te Reo Māori ki te ao, lets do this!!” Jordyn wrote on social media.
She’s referring, of course, to Dean’s impending ANZ tour, which heads to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Jordyn’s hometown, on October 17th.
As Jordyn with a Why, the South Auckland native performs in both English and te reo Māori.
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Alongside being one of Aotearoa’s finest musicians, Jordyn now teaches full immersion te reo Māori at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
In a previous interview with NZ Musician, she said “beginning my Reo Māori reclamation completely changed the game for songwriting.”
“It just unlocked so many more levels of depth and identity – an ocean of resources and inspiration,” she added.
Jordyn made it into one of our major lists last year.
Her 2024 album Hibiscus Moon, Love & Justice featured in our Best New Zealand Albums of the 2020s So Far countdown.
“Jordyn with a Why would deserve a place on this list for her wonderful album title alone,” we wrote.
“The music on Hibiscus Moon, Love & Justice is just as good as the album’s name, however, the Māori-Samoan artist weaving silky R&B magic over 10 tracks.”
In the same year her acclaimed album came out, Jordyn with a Why was a guest on season three of Georgia Lines’ INTROS series, which was hosted on Rolling Stone AU/NZ.
“Juggling being a māmā, an incredible songwriter, and an artist alongside being a wonderful human!!!” Lines said about her guest. Watch the episode here.
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Described as “Aotearoa’s Indigenous sweetie lover girl” by Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington festival CubaDupa, Jordyn has been making waves in Aotearoa music for several years now thanks to her gorgeous waiata.
Her well-received 2022 release “Brown Melodies” was nominated for Best Single at the 2022 Māori Awards; “Ruamati” was nominated for the APRA Maioha Award in 2023; the following year, “He Rei Niho” was nominated for both Mana Reo at the Aotearoa Music Awards as well as the APRA Maioha Award.
Long before Dean’s tour rolls into town, Jordyn, Geneva AM, MOHI, and South Auckland school group Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae Kapa Haka will perform songs from the chart-topping Waiata Anthems album, accompanied by the Auckland Philharmonia, next month.
Matariki: Waiata Anthems in Concert takes place on July 9th at Auckland Town Hall. Find out more here.
Jordyn with a Why’s “Man I Need” (Reo Māori cover) is out now.
