July 29, 2022
Abundant choice for Māori songwriting tohu
One of the judges for this year’s APRA Maioha song awards says there was an abundance to choose from.
Tama Waipara says in past years it was tough to come up with a shortlist of five, but not for the class of 2022.
“In fact, in both the Silver Scroll and the Maioha categories there’s an abundance of incredible songwriting talent, new artists, new voices, reo Māori, reo rua, kaupapa driven, multiple genres, we are in a time of vitality and abundance without Māori music,” he says.
APRA Maioha finalists include Te Aroha Mauroa written and performed by MOHI, Ria Hall’s Rangatira/Owner, E Hine Ē written by Em-Haley Walker and performed by TE KAAHU, Te Iho written by Aja Ropata, Byllie-Jean, and Chris Wethey, and Taera written by Rob Ruha, and Rory Noble.