Pacific music has taken centre stage in South Auckland, with Sam V and Signature Choir emerging as the big winners at the 2026 Pacific Music Awards.
The 22nd annual awards brought the Pacific music community together at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau, celebrating artists, cultures and languages from Aotearoa and across the Pacific.
Sam V and Signature Choir led the night with three awards each.
Sam V claimed Best Pacific Male Artist and Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist, while Small Taste was named APRA Best Pacific Song. The winning track was written by Sam Verlinden, Edward Liu, Jaedyn Randall and Sam Nakamura.
Signature Choir collected Best Pacific Gospel Artist for Reach the Sky EP, the People’s Choice Award for Best Pacific Artist and the Matai Special Recognition Award.
Shane Walker also enjoyed a big night, taking both the Radio Airplay and Streaming awards for Coasty Girl.
Iva Lamkum was named Best Pacific Female Artist for Don’t Mind If I Do, while A.R.T took Best Pacific Group for Nana’s Garage and Blank Canvas.
Kenzie from Welly claimed Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist with Greenstone Door, while Three Houses Down won Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist for Lovers Roots EP.
International recognition went to Fiji, who took Best International Pacific Artist for Daydream.
Brent Park-Tamati and Brandon Haru were named Best Producers for their work on Ladi6’s Le Vā, while Shepherds Reign won Best Pacific Music Video for Samoa Mo Samoa, directed by Twayne Laumua.
Scribe added another major honour to his career, winning Te Tino Pukaemi Moana Nui A Kiwa O Te Tau, Best Pacific Music Album, for Scribe is Dead.
The night also celebrated the importance of Pacific languages, with Taonepuna Lakatani, Malcolm Lakatani and Pacific Kids Learning winning Best Pacific Language for Ulihega and Vevela Mai He Lā.
One of the most significant honours went to pioneering Cook Islands performer Will Crummer, who received the Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award.
Born in Rarotonga and raised in Turangi village, Crummer has spent more than six decades contributing to Pacific music. His work, from early recordings with Viking Records through to the revival of his Rarotongan repertoire, has helped preserve Cook Islands music and language for generations.
The awards also recognised the next generation, with Talia Perese receiving the Phillip Fuemana Award for Most Promising Pacific Artist, Anne Filimoehala receiving the Creative New Zealand Award and Letoa taking the Arch Angel Independent Music Award.
The celebration was backed by a packed performance line-up featuring Sam V, A.R.T, Island Vibes, Kenzie From Welly, Jaro Local and Wameblood.
Crummer returned to the stage for a special performance marking his Lifetime Achievement Award before the evening finished with a closely guarded surprise performance from Scribe.
Behind the celebration, however, organisers acknowledged the financial pressure involved in keeping the awards alive, with economic conditions increasing the costs of delivering an event of this scale. Community donations, sponsors, funders and production partners helped ensure the 2026 ceremony went ahead.
Now in its 22nd year, the Pacific Music Awards began after a committee was formed in 2004, with the inaugural event held at Pasifika Festival in 2005.
Its kaupapa remains centred on recognising Pacific artists, promoting excellence and inspiring emerging Pacific musicians to aim higher.
From established pioneers to a new generation of performers, the 2026 awards demonstrated the growing breadth of Pacific music — and the languages, identities and stories being carried with it.
#WaateaNews #RadioWaatea #PacificMusicAwards #PacificMusic #PMA2026 #SamV #SignatureChoir #Scribe #WillCrummer #ShaneWalker #IvaLamkum #ART #KenzieFromWelly #ThreeHousesDown #ShepherdsReign #Ladi6 #PacificArtists #Pasifika #PacificExcellence #PacificCulture #PacificLanguage #CookIslands #PolynesianMusic #NZMusic #AotearoaMusic #SouthAuckland #Manukau #PasifikaMusic #Aotearoa #NZNews
