Voting is open now for the Vodafone People's Choice Award.

All of the finalists for the 2017 Vodafone Pacific Music Awards are up for this award - with the winner solely determined by public vote.

Vote for your favourite 2017 VPMA finalist and be in to win an exclusive VIP experience for yourself and 3 others, as well as double passes which are up for grabs.

Thanks to the support of Vodafone, all the votes are made online through their website. Go here to confirm your vote: http://www.vodafone.co.nz/vpma/
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​The finalists for the 2017 Vodafone Pacific Music Awards are announced today which include a wide range of new artists and established legends.
 
18 finalists across 11 categories represent a strong line-up of Pacific artists set to be honoured at the awards ceremony on 1 June at the Vodafone Events Centre.

Disney blockbuster movie Moana took Pacific music to the world and grossed over $600 million internationally. Its soundtrack featured Vodafone Pacific Music Awards finalists Opetaia Foa’i, Olivia Foa’i, Vai Mahina/Sulata Foa’i-Amiatu and Matthew Ineleo.

Breakthrough artist Kings is a finalist in five categories including Niu FM Best Pacific Urban Artist, NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, MAINZ Best Producer and Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album for KINGS EP. Kings is also up for APRA Best Pacific Song for ‘Don’t Worry ‘Bout It’, which broke the Official New Zealand Singles Chart record with 32 weeks at #1.

After a string of success off the back of her latest album Brown Girl, Aarahdna is centre stage again as a finalist for four Vodafone Pacific Music Awards: Virgin Australia Best Pacific Female Artist, NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video, Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album, and APRA Best Pacific Song.

Local reggae group Three Houses Down are finalists for three awards, including Niu FM Best Pacific Urban Artist and Radio 531PI Best Pacific Group, as well as NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video for their latest single ‘Love & Affection’ featuring General Fiyah.

Other nominees include Onehunga hip hop crew SWIDT (Niu FM Best Pacific Urban Artist, MAINZ Best Producer), Unity Pacific (Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album, Radio 531PI Best Pacific Group) and rapper Savage (NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist).

Vodafone Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua said the calibre of talent at this year’s Vodafone Pacific Music Awards is astounding and continues to build on the momentum from previous years.

“This is the 13th year of the Vodafone Pacific Music Awards, and every season brings more fresh talent and vision to our stage. The number of achievements within the Pacific music community is something we should all be proud of.”

Strickson-Pua said the event will also reveal the recipients of the four additional awards; the Manukau Institute of Technology Lifetime Achievement Awards, NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award, Phillip Fuemana Award for Most Promising Pacific Artist, and the Vodafone People’s Choice Award.

“These awards are presented to individuals who have made a significant impact on the industry and to the lives of people around them. It will be an honour to celebrate their achievements and Pacific culture at the award ceremony.”

The winner of the Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album category is presented with a Tui and recognised at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards later this year.

The awards are now in their 13th year and tickets to the ceremony will be available through www.ticketdirect.co.nz.

Vodafone Pacific Music Awards finalists:
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