Anthems mark the road back for Emma Paki

New Zealand singer-songwriter Emma Paki is expected to deliver her first major public performance tonight after going from stardom to living on the streets.

The award-winning artist will sing both anthems at the Kiwis-versus-Kangaroos rugby league test at North Harbour Stadium, marking her first such performance in almost a decade.

Kurt Pitman, the event's entertainment manager, said Paki was the ideal person for the job.

"She has strong interests in the sport, can relate to most people who follow it and is a great singer."

In 1993, Paki rose to success with her single System Virtue, which won her Best Songwriter, Most Promising Female Vocalist and Best Video at the 1993 New Zealand Music Awards.

Her single Greenstone, produced by Neil Finn, won her a nomination for Best Female Vocalist the following year.

Not too long after receiving those awards, Paki was living in poverty either in condemned dwellings or on the streets.

However, just recently the Whakatane woman has been back in the recording studio to relaunch her career.