 Media release: 12 March 2025
The Pacific Music Awards Trust is dedicated to celebrating Pacific music and honouring our Pacific artists, with the annual Pacific Music Awards. The Pacific Music Awards Trust are proud to have reached the 21st anniversary and look forward to this year’s celebration and awards ceremony, which will be held on Thursday 21 August, at the Due Drop Events Centre, Manukau, Auckland. Entries for the 2025 Pacific Music Awards are now open and our Trust is encouraging all our Pacific artists who released music in 2024, to submit nominations. All entries need to be submitted online through the official entry system, with the deadline for entries being Tuesday 15 April 2025. Local Pacific artists, i.e. New Zealand citizens/residents, can be nominated for all the entered award categories except for the Best International Pacific Artist Award, which is open to Pacific artists from overseas. The recordings eligible for entry, can be singles, EPs or albums that have been released during the 2024 calendar year, i.e. between 1 January – 31 December 2024. For all the information about nominations for the 2025 Pacific Music Awards, including the 2025 PMA Terms & Conditions of Entry, please go to the Entries page on the awards website. The entered categories for the 2025 Pacific Music Awards are confirmed as follows: Best Pacific Female Artist, Best Pacific Male Artist, Best Pacific Group, Best Pacific Gospel Artist. Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist, Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist, Best Pacific Roots/ Reggae Artist, Best Pacific Language, Best Pacific Song, Best Pacific Music Video, Best Producer, Best International Pacific Artist and Best Pacific Music Album (Aotearoa Music Award). We are grateful for the opportunities and connections music provides us all. We are looking forward to the time ahead as we prepare for the upcoming awards. We hope you can share the collective celebration of Pacific music at the 2025 Pacific Music Awards, on Thursday 21 August. For any questions about the Pacific Music Awards or the nomination process for entries, please contact the Trust on: [email protected] and for more information go to: www.pacificmusicawards.org.nz Issued by the Pacific Music Awards Trust https://www.pacificmusicawards.org.nz/ https://www.facebook.com/pacificmusicawards https://www.instagram.com/pacificmusicawardsnz/
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HIVA FOLAU VAKA – Calling for Expressions of Interest from Pasifika Artists As part of the celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the Pacific Music Awards, the Pacific Music Awards Trust announced their significant legacy project, nurturing the creation of new songs in Pacific languages, Hiva Folau Vaka - Vaka Carrying Music. With this project the Trust wants to positively contribute to Pacific communities and the revitalisation of Pacific languages through music. This project will utilise a workshop format and will embed a Fonofale Village framework, a facilitated, collaborative approach that incorporates peer support and a mentored experience for artists to write and record new songs in Pacific language. The workshop gatherings will be held at a recording studio, to facilitate the writing and recording process; and creative and professional support will be provided by language experts, cultural consultants and the support team. For the first phase of the project the Trust are looking to engage Pasifika artists who would like to create songs in the languages of Vagahau Niue, Te Gagana Tokelau and Te Reo Maori Kuki Airani. The project is open to Pasifika artists of all genres and experience, with the outcome to have competed recordings ready for release. Each gathering will involve 5-10 artists, held over 3 days and are currently planned for the following dates and locations: Early December 2024 – Big Fan, Auckland Late February 2025 – Wellington Mid- May 2025 – Auckland Expressions of Interest: As places and time is limited for this project, we are calling for Expressions of Interest for Pasifika artists to take part in this project. Please email The Trust on: [email protected] to confirm your interest and the Trust will send you the application details, which will need to be submitted by Friday 15 November. Within the application artists will be asked to share information about themselves, the details for the song they wish to create, which language(s) they will include; what support they require; and their release and promotion plan. The Trust will then confirm the successful participants that will take part in the project. The Trust are initially looking for participants for December, but we are also open to receiving details from anyone that would like to participate in the project next year as well. The response from artists will also help us develop the project and tailor each gathering. Hiva Vaka Folau has been made possible due to the support of NZ On Air and the partnership with the Centre for Pacific Languages. The Trust also acknowledges support from Big Fan in Auckland, where we will host our first gathering in December. Revitalising languages is a collective responsibility and requires a collective approach. We acknowledge all the existing work that individuals and organisations are doing across Aotearoa, to support the development of Pacific languages. We are aiming to compliment and contribute to the movement, with Hiva Vaka Folau. Pacific Music Awards Trust   Media release 29 August 2024 An evening of celebration at the 2024 Pacific Music Awards Pacific musicians recognised at 20th anniversary celebration of the Pacific Music Awards This evening, the 2024 Pacific Music Awards marked a significant milestone with its 20th anniversary celebration at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau, Auckland. The night was a tribute to two decades of Pacific music, bringing together the community to honour the exceptional talent and creativity that has flourished within the Pacific community in Aotearoa. Aaradhna was a standout at the event, winning both the Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist and NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video awards for her soulful track ‘She’, directed by Anahera Parata. The song also secured the APRA Best Pacific Song Award, further cementing Aaradhna’s place as a leading voice in Pacific music. Diggy Dupé was another notable artist who took home two awards: NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist and Matai Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist, both for his work on ‘We The City’. Another stand out was Shepherds Reign who took away two awards with the SunPix Best Pacific Language award and Recorded Music NZ Te Tino Pukaemi Moana Nui A Kiwa o te Tau | Best Pacific Music Album for their powerful album Ala Mai, showing their commitment to promoting Pacific language and culture through music. The FLAVA Best Pacific Group award was claimed by SWIDT for their hit tracks such as ‘Youphoria feat. High Hoops’, ‘Burn One feat. Stallyano’, ‘Hocus Pocus,’ and ‘Not 4 Sale’. Signature Choir was awarded with the 531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist award for their album Mana Moana. Meanwhile, Sam V took home the Pacificast Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist award, for the third consecutive time, for You Left Your Things Here (LP), highlighting his exceptional talent and soulful melodies. Unity Pacific’s song ‘Integrity’ earned them Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist while Josh Tatofi was recognised internationally for his talent which won him Niu FM Best International Pacific Artist for a series of hit songs including ‘Ouana,’ ‘Why Worry,’ and ‘Storms Never Last’. Haz Beats has cemented his role as a sought-after producer, receiving the MPG/SAE Best Producer award for his exceptional work on the Brunette EP by Haz & Miloux and ‘Run It Back’ by Home Brew. Other notable winners include Shane Walker, who won the SunPix People’s Choice Award - Best Pacific Artist, and Jordan Gavet, whose song ‘He Said’ earned the NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award. Similarly to last year, Savage alongside Aaradhna, took home the NZ On Air Streaming Award for their widely popular track ‘They Don’t Know.’ The Phillip Fuemana Award for Most Promising Pacific Artist was awarded to MITI, while Noa Records received the Creative New Zealand Award for their innovative contributions to the Pacific music scene. Aaron Strickland, known as Astro, received the Arch Angel Independent Music Award. Finally, Teremoana Rapley, a trailblazing figure in Pacific music, was celebrated with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contributions to the industry and her enduring legacy. Continuing her music story, in honour of the award, Teremoana performed an exclusive set of new songs from her highly anticipated debut trilogy album Daughter of a Housegirl, Cleaning House and Daily Incantations. The 20th anniversary of the Pacific Music Awards was an exceptional night where Pacific Music was greatly celebrated and honoured. Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua says “Pacific Music Awards celebrates twenty years of Tautua serving our Pacific nations' musicians, but we want to honour our musicians their families our communities our nations. For we have not forgotten who we are and where we come from mindful of the connections from our rich past and bonds of Alofa Aroha to the next Tupulaga next generation. Fa’afetai lava to the people who believed in us, supporters, and especially the amazing Sponsors Fa’amanuiaga Manaakitanga blessings.” “Today’s Pasifika Musicians are role models in business entrepreneurs and in schools, contributing musically to cultural and identity issues to education praxis, empowering and healing in the area of Mental Health and well-being of our people, in turn, all people, contributing to the Spiritual Faith traditions of the Churches to Cultural development, numerous community events, often multimedia artist in other art forms, mentoring workshops to career pathways, creating and linking scholarships to tertiary studies, being advocates champions leaders for our people or just being an artist becoming aware. Atua Ariki Otua God has blessed our Pacific Music Awards for twenty years our humble reflections Ata. “ Alongside the beautiful trophy, the 2024 winners received an exclusive 20th PMA anniversary timepiece, thanks to the support from Matai. The Trust collaborated with the Matai creative team to create the watch to honour the 20th anniversary and the legacy of the Pacific Music Awards. At the event, two new original songs were performed live for the first time. One was the prototype waiata for the Vaka Songs project, which is the legacy project for the 20th anniversary of the Pacific Music Awards, that will be developed and delivered over the next 10 months. Performed in Te Reo Maori and Samoan, the artists involved were Fonoti Pati Umaga, Maisey Rika, Tha Feelstyle, Tipene, Kenzie from Welly and Mo Etc, and the waiata was produced by Tenei (10A) Kesha. The Trust also announced two new original waiata created. The final performance of the night, was the new original song created to honour the 20th year, produced by Kings, written and performed by past PMA winners: Nainz Tupai (Adeaze), Dave Atai (Nesian Mystik), Tree, Swiss, Siavani, Bella Kalolo, Sam V, Pati AF, Lepani, Olivia Foa’i, Jarna, Emily Muli and Marley Sola – collectively known as the PMA Allstars - and the Auckland Secondary Schools Pacific Choir. The song ‘Our Way Home’ will be officially released soon, with proceeds going to the Tautua Programme that the Trust delivers to support Pacific artists. Also, tomorrow night’s concert Josh Tatofi will continue the celebration of the 20th year, which has been supported by the Pacific Music Awards Trust. This begins the New Zealand part of his South Pacific Tour and coincides with his attendance and performance at the Pacific Music Awards A full list of winners can be seen below. Photos from the evening will be available here. 2024 Pacific Music Awards Winners: Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist
Issued for the Pacific Music Awards by Pead About the Pacific Music Awards In 2004 the Pacific Music Awards Committee (PMAC) was formed to realise a vision and the inaugural Pacific Music Awards debuted at Pasifika Festival in March 2005. Encouraged by the success of the awards the PMAC set about developing an annual event as a significant highlight of the New Zealand music industry calendar. The awards committee formed a Charitable Trust to organise and host the awards, and are driven by a simple core objective: to create and manage an event that acknowledges the success of Pacific artists, celebrates and promotes excellence in Pacific music and encourages young Pacific musicians to aspire to a higher level of achievement. Contact Alice Grigg | 021 299 5665 | [email protected]  Media release
19 August 2024 Pacific Music Awards Lifetime Achievement awarded to Teremoana Rapley The Pacific Music Awards is thrilled to announce this year's Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Teremoana Rapley. Originally from Upper Hutt, Teremoana Rapley is an Auckland-based singer and songwriter whose music fuses reggae and rap – a trailblazing artist whose extraordinary contributions to Pacific music and culture in New Zealand have left an indelible mark on the industry. Of Kiribati, Aitutaki, Rarotonga, Mangaia and Jamaican heritage, Teremoana Rapley - also known as Tere Veronica Rapley MNZM - has been a powerful force in the New Zealand music scene for over three decades. Known for her self-identification as a Black Moana Sovereign Storyteller, Teremoana’s influence spans multiple roles as a Hip Hop artist, musician, television presenter, and producer. Her dynamic career has included significant contributions to iconic groups like Upper Hutt Posse and Moana and the Moahunters during the 1990s, where she was celebrated for her impactful rhymes and vocals. In 1987, at the age of 14, Teremoana joined Upper Hutt Posse, becoming the only local-born female rapper in Aotearoa at the time. The group's music, which fuses reggae and rap, significantly shaped her political consciousness. By age 15, she was one of our foremost female rappers. Later, she joined Moana and the Moahunters, with whom she won her first NZ Music Award. In 1995, Teremoana embarked on a solo career, performing around the globe. Teremoana’s career extends beyond music. She has interviewed musicians for the magazine Selector and worked extensively in television, co-hosting the youth show Mai Time and directing for Māori Television. She has simultaneously spent over 25-years producing both mainstream and indigenous television content; managed international and domestic entertainment tours; set up and operated a family screen-printing business; designed and delivered social change initiatives for both local and central government and, after raising her four sons, continues a 30+ year musical journey with her highly anticipated debut trilogy album, Daughter of a Housegirl, Cleaning House, and Daily Incantations. In recognition of her services to music and television, Teremoana was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours. Her accolades further include being inducted into the Aotearoa Music Hall of Fame and receiving the Legacy Award with Upper Hutt Posse in 2018. Additionally, she has twice been honoured with the Taite Music Prize for classic albums, first with Upper Hutt Posse in 2016 and later with the Moahunters in 2019. In April 2024, she was awarded the Independent Spirit Award. Teremoana Rapley says, “As a creative I tend to not look back at what I have done. This recognition provides the opportunity to take a moment to appreciate the many people who have allowed me to be a part of their life, I am humbled and grateful.” Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua says “Teremoana Rapley is a true pioneer in Pacific music and culture. A Taonga a treasure who humbly challenges, inspires and nurtures the spiritual, cultural, and political development of Pasifika people hence all people. Her music is about Alofa Aroha Aloha for our family of humanity our Ngati Human Tribe thus Tu’ufa’atasi Kotahitanga unity and peace”. “Her unwavering commitment to her art and community has made a profound impact, and we are honoured to recognise her contributions with this Lifetime Achievement Award. Her journey is a testament to the power of music and storytelling in shaping and preserving our cultural identity." This year, the Pacific Music Awards are excited to announce that the 2024 awards will feature performances by finalists: Josh Tatofi, Shepherds Reign, Olivia Foa’i, Diggy Dupé, Junior Soqeta and Unity Pacific. There will also be a live tribute for the recipient of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and special performances to honour the 20-year celebration of the awards. The Pacific Music Awards will take place at the 20th anniversary event on Thursday August 29th, at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau. Tickets for the 2024 Pacific Music Awards are available for purchase through Eventfinda. The 2024 Pacific Music Awards will be available via live stream on the night, screened by Tagata Pasifika on TP+ (tpplus.co.nz) The Tagata Pasifika highlights show will first screen on TVNZ1 at 9.30am on Saturday 7 September. For more information: https://www.pacificmusicawards.org.nz/ ENDS Issued for the Pacific Music Awards by Pead About the Pacific Music Awards In 2004 the Pacific Music Awards Committee (PMAC) was formed to realise a vision and the inaugural Pacific Music Awards debuted at Pasifika Festival in March 2005. Encouraged by the success of the awards the PMAC set about developing an annual event as a significant highlight of the New Zealand music industry calendar. The awards committee formed a Charitable Trust to organise and host the awards and are driven by a simple core objective: to create and manage an event that acknowledges the success of Pacific artists, celebrates and promotes excellence in Pacific music and encourages young Pacific musicians to aspire to a higher level of achievement. Contact Alice Grigg | 021 299 5665 | [email protected] |
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