APRA MAIOHA AWARD The APRA Maioha Award recognises the art of contemporary Māori songwriting and honours composers who are telling their stories in the language of Te Ao Māori. 2019 finalists:
- Ka Ao by Tyna Keelan, Angelique Te Rauna, and Matauranga Te Rauna
- Korimako by Emily and Charles Looker, performed by Aro
- Paiheretia by Kaaterama Pou
- Te Kete Aronui by Mara Te Kahika and Cory Champion, performed by Mara TK
There were more entries than ever before for the 2019 APRA Maioha Award, and the judges found it hard to choose just three finalists, so this year we have four. All are first time finalists aside from Tyna Keelan (Ngati Porou, Ngati Rongomaiwahine, and Ngati Kahu) who took home Te Ngore when he won the Maioha Award in 2011 for his work Ko Koe. This year Tyna has teamed up with newcomer Angelique Te Rauna and her uncle Matauranga to write Ka Ao, which is a beautiful piano ballad about finding self-confidence and following dreams. Also newcomers, Emily and Charles Looker (also known as Aro) are recognised for their song Korimakothis year. Blending Emily's smooth voice with Charles' full throated percussive sound with shades of haka, Korimako is a warm, upbeat waiata from their debut album Manu – a bilingual album released on Waitangi Day which is inspired by our native birds. Kaaterama Pou (Ngāpuhi, Te Arawa) was inspired by gospel for her finalist song Paiheretia, from her debut EP Shine Your Light. Having impressed judges at the Waiata Maori Music Awards, winning the Best Emerging Artist prize in 2017, she’s now garnering attention by addressing indigenous and environmental issues through her music. The son of Māori psychedelic rock legend Billy TK – Mara TK (Ngai Tahu, Ngati Kahungunu, and Tainui) is a finalist for his brand new work Te Kete Aronui, alongside drummer Cory Champion. It’s a soulful ballad infused with modern beats and various shimmering string parts, looking for faith and wisdom. |
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