September 19, 2017
Music awards celebrate pride in Maori
The Waiata Maori Music Awards has marked its 10th year with what has become its signature mix of old and new.
It celebrated experienced performers like Maisey Rika, who won four awards, and newcomers like Kaaterama Pou who was named under 25 emerging artist.
It also took time out to acknowledge past contributions, with posthumous awards to singer Bunny Walters, composer Canon Wi Te Tau Huata and Tainui performing arts stalwart Tomairangi Paki.
Organising group member Ellison Huata says one aim of the awards is to show Maori musicians they can succeed on their own terms without have to bow to the music industry.
"We can still perform in our reo. We can have our cultural values. Be proud of who you are and keep creating what you want to do and stay passionate about who you are through your music, because it is the wairua of the music they put out there that makes us unique," she says.
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