(Picture caption: New Zealand’s Pacific music community was in the spotlight at the recent Pacific Music Awards.)
The Pacific music community in Aotearoa New Zealand was honoured at an annual celebration of talent recently.
Staged at Due Drop Events Centre on August 9, the Pacific Music Awards 2023 recognised an array of Pacific musicians, making waves in Aotearoa.
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) is a long-time champions of these special awards, and supported the Special Recognition Awards, which went to Mark Vanilau, for his soundtrack composition for A Boy Called Piano, and to 531pi – who are celebrating 30 years of broadcasting.
Avondale-born artist Melodownz took out three awards for NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, NZ on Air Best Pacific Music Video, and Recorded Music Te Pukaemi Toa o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa/Best Pacific Music Album Award for Lone Wolf.
A notable winner was Olivia Foa’i, who was named Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist and won Sunpix Best Pacific Language with Sunlight.
The FLAVA Best Pacific Group award went to Deceptikonz for their captivating album In Perpetuity, while Punialava'a took home the 531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist award for Tagi Le Atunu'u Pele.
In the hip-hop category, Poetik's Hamofied Tre was recognised as the Matai Watches Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist, while Sam V's soulful tracks on The one, the lonely EP, Come Through, and Love Again earned him the Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist award.
Three Houses Down's The Dream and She Loves Me impressed and secured them the Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist award.
International talent was also recognised, with Josh Tatofi winning the NIU FM Best International Pacific Artist award for his mesmerizing tracks, Prisoner of Love, Sweet Loven, Landslide, Still the One, Pua Ahih’i, Good Morning Beautiful, and Tomorrow.
Acknowledging the key role of producers, the MPG/SAE Best Producer award went to Mareko x Ricky Paul for their collaborative work on Untitled: ACT 1.
With the unofficial anthem of Toa Samoa, Victor J Sefo’s 685 (co-written with Ventry Parker and Elijah Tovio) earned him the APRA Best Pacific Song award. He also received the Arch Angel Independent Music Award.
Recognising the power of their music, SWIDT feat. Lomez Brown received the NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award for Kelz Garage, while Savage ft Aaradhna's They Don't Know won them the NZ On Air Streaming Award with over 28.2 million streams across Spotify and YouTube.
A fan favourite, Wayno, walked away with the SunPix People’s Choice Award - Best Pacific Artist, while Teo Glacier was awarded with the Phillip Fuemana Award for Most Promising Pacific Artist.
Lady Shaka was recognised with the Creative New Zealand Award for her innovative, genre-bending music and international success as a DJ and creative
The late Toni Williams was honoured with the Manukau Institute of Technology Te Pukenga Lifetime Achievement Award, a nod to his career and contribution to music.
Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua says the 2023 theme of, Leveki mo e puipui e magafaoa katoa - Guide and protect the entire family, acknowledges the spiritual, cultural and political roles Pacific music contributes to, as well as to the wellbeing of Pacific peoples.
Alongside the celebration of Pacific music winners, there were exceptional live performances from finalists and winners.
The Pacific Music Awards 2023 celebrated the diversity, creativity, and talent of the Pacific music community, leaving a lasting impact on the music industry.
2023 Pacific Music Award winners: