Congratulations to music award winners
Tai Poutini Polytechnic is proud to congratulate current and former Music and Audio Institute of NZ (MAINZ) students who
were among the finalists at the weekend’s Vodafone Pacific Music Awards in Auckland.
MAINZ General Manager Val Gyde says it is always pleasing to see former students excel on a national stage, and the
weekend’s music event was a great example of that.
Cyril Savea (currently in his second year of the Bachelor of Musical Arts at MAINZ in Auckland) and Mark Tohi (a Diploma
CMP student at MAINZ) are part of South Auckland reggae band Three Houses Down, who took out the Vodafone People’s
Choice Award for Best Pacific Artist.
MAINZ also congratulates:
• Former student Lance Fepuleai (known as Lucky Lance) who, with band Team Dynamite, was a finalist for Best Pacific
Urban Artist, Best Pacific Music Album (Shepards Delight), APRA Best Pacific Song and NZ on Air Best Pacific Music Video (Coconut Lime).
• Isaac Tuia (currently a MAINZ Diploma CMP student) who plays electric guitar for TJ Taotua, winner of NZ Music
Commission Best Pacific Artist and Best Pacific Gospel Artist.
• Michael Hansen (currently a MAINZ Diploma CMP student) who played keyboard for Erakah, winner of Virgin Australia Best
Pacific Artist.
“I want to offer our congratulation to Cyril, Lance, Isaac, Michael and Mark and to all the artists recognised at the
Vodafone Pacific Music Awards. These students have worked hard and are well-regarded by staff and students during their
time at MAINZ.
“There are so many opportunities in the music industry and it is incredibly pleasing to see our students succeed in
their professional careers. As well as supporting great performers like Cyril and Lance, we also help students prepare
for careers behind the scenes, through programmes in live sound and event production, foundation courses and audio
engineering,” Val says.
For more information on the Vodafone Pacific Music Awards, visit www.pacificmusicawards.org.nz
For more information about MAINZ, visit www.tpp.ac.nz/mainz
ENDS