Originally from North Canterbury and now based in Wellington, Emma Rutherford is an emerging New Zealand pop artist blending soulful vocals, heartfelt storytelling and a fresh contemporary sound.

After completing a Bachelor of Music at Ara Music Arts in 2022, Emma began building her career as an independent artist, gaining early attention with her single and music video Ghost Town, a nostalgic reflection on growing up and growing out of a small town in New Zealand.

Since relocating to Wellington in 2025, Emma has been working alongside producer Toby Lloyd from Tiny Triumph Recordings, developing a sound that blends soulful pop, ballads and honest storytelling.

2026 has marked a significant year for Emma. Her releases Gracie and Losing Sight reached No. 3 and No. 18 respectively on the Hot 20 Aotearoa Singles Charts, while Gracie was named by Rolling Stone Australia/New Zealand as one of the Best New Zealand Songs of the Week and both releases received recognition through Apple Music’s New in Pop playlist.

Alongside her music, Emma has taken a creative leap into theatre, debuting her original show In Between The Verses at Wellington’s BATS Theatre in July 2026. Combining original music, comedy and honest storytelling, the show explores the highs, lows and often hilarious realities of pursuing a creative career in New Zealand.

Following a successful Wellington season, Emma is now preparing to release more music and take In Between The Verses on tour across Aotearoa in 2027.