September 12, 2016
Ruha cleans up at Waiata awards
It was Rob Ruha’s night at the ninth annual Waiata Maori Music Awards.
The Gisborne-based performer walked away with tohu for best traditional album – Pumau; best song – Paremata Mene; and best Maori songwriter.
He also joined Troy Kingi, Maisey Rika and Ria Hall to open the show at the Hastings Sports Centre by performing a medley of compositions by kapa haka legend Ngapo Wehi, who died in July.
Maaka Fiso was judged best Maori male solo artist, and Amba Holly was best female artist.
Six60, who are currently in Los Angeles working on cracking the North American market, took the radio airplay prize for White Lines.
Tihei Mauri Ora by Ranea was the radio airplay song of the year in te reo.
Toikitauri and Rootz Konekt are the emerging artists to watch, and the best Maori pop album was Kirsten Te Rito’s Aiotanga.
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