The Waiata Māori Music Awards were presented tonight at a red-carpet glamour ceremony before an audience of stars and
VIPs from the world of Māori music at Club Hastings.
Te Kākono, the group of young Māori artists who created the Te Reo compilation album Te Kākono were the most honoured, awarded
Best Māori Traditional Album (Te Reo Māori), Best Maori Pop Artists and Best Song by a Māori Artist for the song Tōrea
The winning song, Tōrea, was written by group member PERE, who won Best Māori Male Solo Artist in his first venture as a solo artist.
PERE is also a member of the group Maimoa, which won Radio Airplay Song of the Year By a Māori Artist in Te Reo for their song Kawea
This year is the third time Waikato-Tainui musician Amba Holly has won Best Māori Female Solo Artist. This year, she also took out the Best Māori Songwriter award. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J8cak9RLBk
Best Māori Urban Artist is 2013 APRA Silver Scroll finalist Tipene for his groundbreaking album Tautoko
Best Roots Reggae Award went to Whanganui reggae band NLC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW_SPbxmSts
Best Video of the Year by a Māori Artist went to LAB for their video Baby Will You Let Me
Radio Airplay Song of the Year by a Māori Artist went to Six60 for Vibes, who also performed at the ceremony.
Waiata Maori Music Awards Iconic recipients:
Trevor Horowaewae Maxwell - Keeper of Tradition | Kaitiaki Tikanga Pūoru
Jarrod Huirama - Music Industry Award | Ahumahi Pūoru
Abe Phillips - Lifetime Contribution to Māori Music | Mauriora o Te Ao Pūoru Māori
Pixie Williams - Lifetime Contribution to Māori Music | Mauriora o Te Ao Pūoru Māori
Full List of Winners follows
English Award
Tohu MāoriBest Māori Traditional Album
(Te Reo Māori) AwardTohu – Kōpae Mōteatea Hira
Winner: Te KākanoBest Māori Pop Artist or Artists AwardTohu – Kaipūoru Māori Autaia
Winner: Te KākanoBest Māori Urban Artist or Artists AwardTohu – Kaipūoru Māori-noho-taone Autaia
Winner: Tipene (Tautoko)Best Māori Male Solo Artist AwardTohu – Manu Tīoriori Tāne Autaia
Winner: PereBest Māori Female Solo Artist AwardTohu – Manu Tīoriori Wahine Autaia
Winner: Amba HollyBest Song by a Māori Artist AwardTohu - Waiata Māori Hira
Winner: Te Kākano (Tōrea) Best Māori Songwriter AwardTohu – Kaitito Waiata-Māori Autaia
Winner: Amba Holly Best Roots, Reggae AwardTohu – Kopaeroa Autaia Roots, Reggae
Winner: NLC (Know your roots)Radio Airplay Song of the Year by a Māori
Artist in Te Reo Māori AwardTohu – Kōpae-Irirangi Kaipūoru Reo Māori o te Tau
Winner: Maimoa (Kawea) Radio Airplay Song of the Year by a Māori ArtistTohu – Kōpae- Irirangi Kaipūoru Māori o te Tau
Winner: Six60 (Vibes) Best Video of the Year by a Māori ArtistTohu – Ataata Māori Hira o te Tau
Winner: LAB (Baby Will You Let Me)Iconic - Keeper of Traditions AwardTohu – Kaitiaki Tikanga Pūoru
Trevor Horowaewae Maxwell Iconic - Music Industry AwardTohu – Ahumahi Pūoru
Jarrod Huirama Iconic – Lifetime Contribution to Māori MusicTohu – Mauriora o Te Ao Pūoru Māori
Abe Phillips Iconic – Lifetime Contribution to Māori MusicTohu – Mauriora o Te Ao Pūoru Māori
Pixie Williams Emerging Artist (Under 25)Tohu – Kaipūoro Hau - Rangatahi
Turei Emerging Artist (over 25)Tohu – Kaipūoro Hau - Pakeke
Mons Hooks
Now in its 12th year, the Waiata Māori Music Awards were established by composer, musician and teacher Tama Huata ONZM
(Ngati Kahungunu), a renowned leader and champion of Māori music and performing arts.
Awards executive director Ellison Huata says, “The Waiata Māori Music Awards celebrate excellence in Māori music and
acknowledge and honour the keepers, teachers, promoters, creators and performers of Māori music.”