Ella Pollett is one of Aotearoa pop music’s most exciting new voices and she’s kicking off New Zealand Music Month with a bang - her new single ‘A Name I Knew’.

The young singer and songwriter has been making waves in her hometown of Napier for a few years now. But it was her NZ on Air funded single 'Losing My Mind’ - released in October last year - that drew nationwide attention and saw her topping the Hot 20 Aotearoa Singles chart.

Now Ella returns with her first single of 2026, the indie-pop gem ‘A Name I Knew’. A powerful song, it highlights Ella’s honest and relatable storytelling lyricism, as well as her knack for turning out infectious pop hooks and strong melodies that leave you wanting more.

“I’m drawn to music that feels real and honest,” says Ella.

Ella explains that ‘A Name I Knew’ is about “holding onto someone who has already started to feel like a stranger. It captures that in-between stage where nothing has fully ended, but everything has changed. Memories still feel close, but the connection doesn’t.”

With a mix of nostalgia, vulnerability and quiet acceptance woven throughout the track - produced by Nigel Mauchline - ‘A Name I Knew’ also sees the talented singer and songwriter delving more into a moodier and atmospheric soundscape; showcasing an artist who’s not resting on her laurels but rather honing her craft and pushing into new sonic spaces.

Ella is one of Lil Sister’s Rising Stars - an initiative which aims to shine a spotlight on Aotearoa’s newest and brightest emerging acts. And this powerful new song sees Ella living up to her reputation as one of New Zealand’s most exciting new talents.  

Listen to ‘A Name I Knew’ here.

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Ella Pollett is known for her soulful tone and emotionally driven songwriting. Blending raw honesty with polished pop production, she creates music that resonates deeply and lingers long after the first listen. A two-time Smokefree Rockquest winner (2021 and 2022), Ella has quickly built an impressive résumé. In 2023, she opened for Rod Stewart at the iconic Mission Concert, and was named a finalist in the Play It Strange Peace Song competition. Her breakout single ‘Losing My Mind’ (2025), supported by NZ On Air, debuted at #1 on the Hot 20 Aotearoa Singles Chart and reached #26 on the Hot 40, while also earning placement on Air New Zealand’s in-flight playlist and a spot on the HB Music Hub vinyl compilation. Her music has also featured on Shortland Street, further cementing her as a rising name in the national scene. With a new single arriving in May 2026 and a collaboration on the way, Ella Pollett is an artist on the rise - combining vulnerability, authenticity, and star power in equal measure.