She has worked in cabaret, clubs and entertainment venues all over the country. Early in the 80s she recorded the hit song Little Tui with her band Meg and the Fones which won her the APRA (Australasian Performing Rights Association) ‘song of the year’ in 1986.

In the late 1970s she worked with Billy T K's Powerhouse also known as Wharemana and has been the backbone of many bands over the years including Ryde, Elk, Mahana, Meg & the Fones, The Tony Littlejohn Band, Head Office, Wahine Collective (with Edwina Thorne) and the Rhythm Mama’s.

She has appeared in successful shows including Women in Blues (featuring Hattie St John and Truda Chadwick), the All That Glitters women songwriters concert and the Reggae Meets the Blues show featuring the cream of Auckland’s musician.

The end of 1999 saw a new season in Mahia's career as she was chosen to join a select group of the country’s best singers to back Dame Kiri Te Kanawa on her new album of traditional Maori songs.

To date Mahia has released an album with Meg and the Fones along with a single and two EP cassettes featuring her original songs. She recorded with Billy TK’s Wharemana on several as yet unreleased albums and with Johnny Spacific, Phil Toms’ album Storm Warning, the Corromandel Calling and Women in Blues tapes and made a guest appearance on the New Zealand compilation Pacific Messages.

She continues to work with top musicians including Tama Renata (Herbs / Once Were Warriors soundtrack) and Gavin Collinge (singer / songwriter). During 1999 Mahia completed a successful tour of the South Island of New Zealand and will return to selected venues due to popular demand this year. 

The year 2000 also sees Mahia releasing her own CD, Blues in the House with duo Cushy Numbers featuring Gavin Collinge.