Finalists Announced for This Year’s Waiata Māori Music Awards

August 2nd 2023

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Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading Māori music artists, performers and songwriters will assemble soon to celebrate the 16th National Waiata Māori Music Awards.

The event’s executive director, Ellison Huata, has released the names of this year’s finalists, marking the start of Te Marama Pūoru Waiata Māori - Māori Music Month in August, ahead of the awards event in September.

Ellison said the theme for the 2023 awards event is “Nā parekura ko kahukura”, reflecting on the ongoing impact Cyclone Gabrielle has inflicted on East Coast communities this year.

The word "parekura" refers to a tragedy that involves the loss of life and "kahukura" means rainbow, which is a symbol of hope and promise. 

“Together, the phrase Nā parekura ko kahukura reminds us that even in the face of tragedy and adversity, there is always the potential for growth and renewal. It encourages us to look for the rainbow after the storm, and to hold onto hope for a brighter future.”

Ellison hopes Te Marama Pūoru Waiata Māori - Māori Music Month and the Waiata Māori Music Awards will help bring some joy and hope to everyone after the devastating experience of Cyclone Gabrielle.

“The mandate of the Waiata Māori Music Awards is to produce a music competition open to all Māori music industry professionals. We want to develop and promote the wonderful diversity of Māori music.

This year we also want to use our key music events as a medium to inspire people during their recovery journey. We want them to see there is light at the end of the tunnel and to hold on to hope for a brighter future.”

Nominations for this year’s event closed on July 10 and Ellison was happy with the calibre of this year’s finalists.

“We are seeing a wonderful mix of talented, emerging artists and accomplished musicians, composers and performers continue to come through the nomination process, which really demonstrates the depth we have in the Māori music industry.”

Former award winners L.A.B and Seth Haapu will join award debutants Tuari Brothers and Coterie as finalists to contest the highly-prized Best Māori Song Writer title this year. 

 

Seth Haapu appears again to contest the Best Māori Male Solo Artist title, up against Rākai Whauwhau, Rei, MOHI and Tipene. And in the Best Māori Female Solo Artist title, the finalists are Jordyn With a Why, Nikau Grace, Raiha Moetara and Te KuraHuia. 

 

Please find a comprehensive list of finalists below: 

 

Waiata Māori Music Awards 2023 Finalists

 

TE TOHU KAIPUORU TE REO MĀORI

BEST TE REO MĀORI ALBUM

·       Chey Milne - Whaikōrero Raps 2

·       Rei - ARIKI

·       ORA (Origin Roots Aotearoa) - He Reo Ora

·       Tuari Brothers - Rongo

 

TE TOHU KAIPŪORU MĀORI NOHO TAONE AUTAIA

BEST HIP HOP ALBUM BY A MAORI ARTIST

·       Rei - ARIKI

·       Tuari Brothers - Rongo

·       Chey Milne - Whaikōrero Raps 2

·       Tipene - We No Muck Around

 

TE TOHU KŌPAEROA AUTAIA

BEST ROOTS REGGAE ALBUM BY A MAORI ARTIST

·       NLC - NLCOntheFly

·       Israel Starr - Keepers of the flame

·       ORA (Origin Roots Aotearoa) - He Reo Ora

·       Chad Chambers - Nāti Shores

 

TE TOHU KAIPŪORU ARATINI MĀORI AUTAIA

BEST MAORI POP ALBUM

·       Valkyrie - Joyride

·       Tuari Brothers - Rongo

·       Rei - ARIKI

·       Coterie - Coterie

 

TE TOHU MANU TIORIORI TĀNE AUTAIA

BEST MAORI MALE SOLO ARTIST

·       Seth Haapu

·       Rākai Whauwhau

·       Rei

·       MOHI

·       Tipene

 

TE TOHU MANU TIORIORI WAHINE AUTAIA

BEST MAORI FEMALE SOLO ARTIST

·       Jordyn With a Why

·       Nikau Grace

·       Raiha Moetara

·       Te KuraHuia

 

TE TOHU RŌPŪ MĀ0RI AUTAIA

BEST MĀORI GROUP

·       Coterie

·       Tuari Brothers

·       ORA (Origin Roots Aotearoa)

·       Lost Tribe Aotearoa

 

TE TOHU O TE WAIATA MĀORI HIRA

BEST SONG BY A MAORI ARTIST AWARD

·       L.A.B - Take It Away

·       Tuari Brothers - E Tama

·       Jordyn With A Why - Raumati

·       Seth Haapu - Rongoa

·       Coterie - Always Beside You (featuring Six60)

 

TE TOHU ATAATA AUTAIA

BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR BY A MAORI ARTIST

·       Seth Haapu - Tropical

·       Tuari Brothers/Taktix Film - E Tama

·       Valkyrie - Lights Go Down

·       Coterie - Deja Vu

 

TE TOHU O TE KAITITIO WAIATA MĀORI AUTAIA

BEST MAORI SONGWRITER

·       L.A.B - Take It Away

·       Seth Haapu - Rongoa

·       Tuari Brothers - Rongomarua and Tuari ki te ao

·       Coterie - Always Beside You (featuring Six60)

 

For more information on the Waiata Māori Music Awards, please visit their website here. 

 

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