​ The Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand (MAINZ) is a faculty of the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT). They have built an enviable reputation over the years for their high quality programmes and the calibre of their graduates.
 
Together SIT and MAINZ are pleased to be offering, as part of their support of the Pacific Music Awards, a new scholarship to Pasifika students interested in studying music, audio production/engineering at either our Auckland (MAINZ) or Invercargill (SIT) campuses within the school of Music and Audio Production.
 
For students to be eligible to apply for the scholarship, the following criteria will need to be met:

• Students must be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of enrolment,
• Must be New Zealand citizens; (by birth or citizenship) OR
• Have been granted permanent residency in New Zealand
• Must be of Pacific descent
• They must meet academic and/or English entry criteria as applicable for the programme of choice.

 
If successful, the scholarship is for the full qualification, i.e. if studying a 3-year Bachelor degree, then the scholarship will be for the full three years, providing students meet the scholarship conditions.
 
Contact   Dot Bach dot.bach@sit.ac.nz for further details. 
Inquiries:   Jodi Conway  2112699 ext 8715 or jodi.conway@sit.ac.nz


​

​11 March 2019

The Pacific Music Awards celebrates its 15th year, an important milestone for the awards, the Pacific music community and music industry. 

The inaugural Pacific Music Awards were held on 11 March 2005, as part of the opening night event for the Pasifika Festival, at Western Springs Stadium.  The 2005 awards were programmed for 45 minutes, involving 7 award presentations and three live performances.  

Since 2005, the awards have been held at the Vodafone Events Centre, first in the theatre and now in the arena.  The awards ceremony has grown over time, with new award categories added, which includes new artist and genre categories, an international category and the newest edition, an award for streaming.  

The Pacific Music Awards now involve 18 award presentations, up to 10 live performances and are a full three hour Pacific celebration, that is filmed for television and streamed live.  The awards are a significant event for our Pacific community and music industry, and the growth and development of the event is something that the Pacific Music Awards Trust are very proud of.

The 2019 Pacific Music Awards, will be held on Thursday 23 May.  The Trust are excited about planning the 2019 awards, celebrating the 2019 finalists and award recipients, while also honouring the 15 year anniversary.  

​To begin the celebration for the 15th anniversary of the Pacific Music Awards, the Trust have compiled a Spotify playlist to showcase the music that has been celebrated over the last 15 years:

News release:
​
​February 2019:   NZ On Air - New Music Pasifika

NZ On Air, announced the New Music Pasifika focus round at the end of 2018.  This was the result of research that identified gaps in public media content, the need for more diverse local content and to reach under-served audiences.    This was a great opportunity for Pacific artists to secure financial support to record a single, produce a video and also promotion costs.  
From the 51 applications received, 14 artists were confirmed to receive funding for their new songs and/or videos.  Congratulations to the following artists:

​Diggy Dupe, ‘CI’
Disciple Pati, ‘The Boy Who Cried Woman’
Emily Muli, ‘No More’
La Coco, ‘Back When’
Lani Alo, ‘Alo I ou Faiva’
Mikey Mayz, ‘Wild People’
Queen Shirl’e, ‘Queens Rise Up’
Raze ft Poetik, ‘Another Lover’
Shepherds Reign, ‘Legend’
Snare, ‘Fuso Gumz’
Swiss ft DJ Noiz & JSQZE, ‘Island Kings’
Tazman Jack, ‘Eyes Closed’
Tommy Nee, ‘Criminal Minds’
Truce, ‘Faded’
 
The NZ On Air funding was supported by the Pacific Music Awards Trust and Pacific Media Network, and they also provided workshops to support the process.  We all look forward to seeing the journey of these songs and videos as they are released throughout the year.

Issued by the Pacific Music Awards Trust
Trust spokesperson:  Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua,  P: 021 141 8798    E: stricksonpua@xtra.co.nz
Trust contact and Event Producer: Petrina Togi-Sa’ena, P: 0272451898; E:  info@pacificmusicawards.org.nz