A big thumbs up for NZ music industry
Tonight's Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards showed that local music is in good heart.
“Great music can only flourish in an environment where artists are supported, appreciated and celebrated, by the
industry and audiences. We back both the VNZMA awards, and many of the finalists and winners of awards, as a means of
helping to create that environment. Well done to everyone who played a part in making great local music this year,” said
NZ On Air Music Manager Brendan Smyth.
In total, 10 awards were won by NZ On Air-backed artists.
The NZ On Air sponsored Radio Airplay award was won by Stan Walker for Take It Easy, from the Mount Zion movie and the NZ On Air sponsored Best Video Award was won by prolific videomaker, Joel Kefali for Lorde's Royals.
That’s three in a row for Kefali who has won the NZ On Air Best Music Video at the last two VNZMAs.
“Two years ago we revamped the way we fund music after consultation with the sector. With our new funding scheme, Making
Tracks, we focus on finding great songs. And those songs have found appreciative audiences, and have made their way to
the finals of our most prestigious music awards,” said Mr Smyth.
Hearing, sharing and celebrating our own songs is vital to New Zealand culture, which is why taxpayer funding is
provided through NZ On Air for music recordings and music videos and for the promotion of local music through the Kiwi
Hit Disc.
ENDS