"It was a hard decision, there are many people trying to get into the industry, but Hinerongonui is beautiful and talented. She's young and she has a whole lot of original numbers.
"I thought it was an opportune time for me to extend my hand out to mentor someone.
"She is a young upcoming artist, we have all started somewhere and I see her as an artist in her own right.
"She is able to cater to the market of Maori people, but I also see her mainstream as she also writes in English.
"She can float both her hats on and off," she said.
Miss Kingi said she was honoured to be chosen to perform with Ms Black.
"I started singing when I was 8 and I had my first gig when I was 12 at the tavern in Tirau. I'm very lucky as I grew up in a very musical family.
"I started singing with my father."
She said over the years her father's band turned into a family band with her brothers.
When she was young Miss Kingi drew inspiration from pop stars like Nelly Furtado and Candy before she moved into her own style that merged with her culture.
"This is a huge deal for me, I've put music on hold for a long time - it's something I was very shy to do."
Before recently throwing herself into the music scene, Miss Kingi wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post, travelled overseas as a cultural entertainer, competed in body building and taught a new programme called Toi Whakaari (performing arts) at the Rotorua Youth Centre this year.
"I had a goal when I was a kid, when I was 5 I wrote on a piece of paper 'I'm going to be a journalist, a singer, a teacher', and now it's all happened."
She said she's been given 20 minutes to perform on January 29 at the festival and after her set she will perform two songs with Whirimako.
"I'll be doing originals in te reo, they will be new. Whirimako told me I was ready for this and I was very honoured."
As an upcoming artist and role model Miss Kingi said she would encourage others to chase their dreams like she had.
"Surround yourself with positive people, healthy living is important and take care of yourself.
"For me, this is all a bit surreal and I feel very humbled to be chosen," she said.
The three-day festival is packed full of traditional and contemporary Maori culture, with performances from emerging and established Maori musicians, as well as Auckland's top kapa haka groups.
The free, family-friendly Tamaki Herenga Waka Festival is being delivered by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development in partnership with the 19 mana whenua of Tamaki Makaurau.
Details:
What: Tamaki Herenga Waka Festival
When: Saturday 28 to Monday 30 January 2017, 10am - 6pm daily
Where: Viaduct Events Centre and Viaduct Basin
Cost: Free
