Famed Kiwi singer, songwriter and broadcaster Anika Moa has broken away from the spotlight to focus on smaller projects.

She's recently released her first children's book, The Witch of Maketu - and she's set to star in Auckland Theatre company's retelling of Peter Pan this October.

She says acting on stage is a different experience off the back of the long-running radio career. 

"When they offered me the part, I was like - I can't act, I can't do this, I can't learn lines. And then I'm like - try. Try and do it, because you love the thrill of live audiences, you love entertaining people." 

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