Mainard Larkin (better known by his stage names Randa and Larz Randa) is a rapper and recording artist.
Randa is best known for the songs "Heatwave" and "Rangers." "Heatwave was written with Shannon Fowler (aka Tom Lark) and Merk (musician) (aka Mark Perkins) . "Rangers" was written with Josh Fountain, who subsequently became one of New Zealand's most successful producers through his work with Leisure (band) and Benee.
'Rangers' was used on a TV health promotion ad in New Zealand called "Go the distance", which was a marketing campaign that aimed to contribute to changing New Zealanders alcohol consumption behaviour from the current norm of high-risk drinking to one of moderation. One of Randa's early breakthroughs was winning the Critic's Choice Award at the 2014 New Zealand Music Awards. That same year, he also performed at the Auckland Big Day Out 2014 which had major international acts at the same festival including Snoop Dogg, Pearl Jam and Arcade Fire. This was considered in the top 20 moments of the festivals history in New Zealand Randa would also perform at the major event Big Gay Out in 2020, which had acts like Mika X and Courtney Act.
In 2018, Randa was featured on an Air New Zealand safety video alongside Julian Dennison, Kings and Theia. In the video, the New Zealand musicians were rapping and singing to a song they created called "It's Kiwi Safety". The music adapts two songs, Run-DMC's "It's Tricky" and "In the Neighbourhood" by Sisters Underground. The video was retired by Air New Zealand after only three months due to public criticism.
In 2026, Mainard Larkin released an Alternative country album Rattlesnake Boy under his own name, working in collaboration with his longtime producer Shannon Fowler (aka Tom Lark).
Personal life
Randa was educated at Carmel College, Auckland, for their high school years. Randa started making music while living briefly in Sydney, Australia, in 2011. Randa studied at MAINZ which is a program part of Tai Poutini Polytechnic.
