Te Reo Māori Waiata in Official Chart | Te Pōrutu o Nga Waiata Reo Māori I ngā Tūtohi Ōkawa

As we enter Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori | Māori Language Week, Te Reo Māori waiata have surged into Recorded Music’s Official New Zealand Music Charts | Te Papa Tātai Waiata Matua O Aotearoa.

As expected, the recently launched Top 10 Te Reo Māori Singles | Ngā Waiata Kairangi I Te Reo Māori o Te Rārangi 10 o Runga is filled with new waiata reo with iwa | nine fresh entries on the back of Waiata Anthems Week. The only survivor from last week is Six60’s Pepeha which still holds the top spot.

But Reo Māori is evident on every chart this week. The Hot 20 NZ Singles | Waiata Takitahi, Wera Rawa 20 o Aotearoa (essentially a ‘viral’ or ‘trending’ chart covering all platforms) includes 10 waiata reo and waiata rua reo, including wha | four of the tino takirima.

Ka Hao and Rob Ruha take out the kotahi | #1 position with their new track 35. It’s the fastest-rising local release of the last ra whitu | seven days, based on a combination of sales, streams and radio play. The Gisborne rangatahi collective's debut EP is out next week.

Te Reo is in play in the main Hot 40 Singles | Waiata Takitahi, Wera Rawa 40, even in a week with a brand new Drake album and the return of ABBA after a long absence. There are eight new Te Reo tracks in the 40, including two (Kao Hao and Sons Of Zion) in the tino tekau.

In the Official Top 20 NZ Albums | Kōpaki I Te Rārangi Kōpaki Motuhake 20 o Aotearoa LOOP’s Kono EP enters at #8 and Lorde’s new Te Ao Mārama EP lands at #9 (despite only being eligible for 24 hours). Both albums also enter the Official Top 40 Albums | Kōpaki I Te Rārangi Motuhake 40 o Runga at #24 and #27 respectively.

Digging into the data, Recorded Music NZ Chart Compiler Paul Kennedy says Te Reo Māori releases chalked up an amazing 1.3 million streams in New Zealand last week.

Of all the New Zealand music streamed on Spotify and Apple Music last week, waiata reo made up an all-time high 8.71%. It also accounted for nearly a third of all the New Zealand music sold as downloads this week.

The surge in the charts looks to continue this coming week too, with the release of a special physical edition of Six60's current chart-topper Pepeha and the arrival of the next round of new releases including new tracks from Moana And The Tribe, Stan Walker, Dave Dobbyn, Hamo Dell, Hollie Smith, Sianne, Kings, Theia and others.

The Official New Zealand Music Charts | Te Papa Tātai Waiata Matua O Aotearoa are released weekly and can be found here.

It’s all about THE MUSIC! SOLE rolls out the second event in their SPEAKER SERIES curated for local artists and upcoming music professionals.

With the help of the New Zealand Music Commission, SOLE Music Academy has curated a brand new music business seminar and mentoring series to support emerging Canterbury artists and upcoming music professionals. THE MUSIC is the second of 6 live music seminars, which are being held from 7-9pm at SOLE Music Academy Studio in Addington, Christchurch.

Each 2hr event has one specific topic and three of the country's leading music industry professionals who will cover everything you need to know about how to make and release your music successfully. Attendees are encouraged to come to all of the events and to make the most of the rare opportunity to book in 1:1 private mentoring sessions the following day. 

In this specific event, attendees will hear from 3 of New Zealand’s top songwriters and producers Devin Abrams (Shapeshifter, Drax Project & Pacific Heights), Will McGillivray (nomad, There’s a Tuesday & BEXY) & prolific songwriter and award winning artist, Mel Parsons.

Together they will delve into their process of how they create and produce music for themselves and other artists. They will also give attendees a better understanding of how to create a song that is release worthy and ensure you get more people listening to your music.

We have limited tickets for THE MUSIC only 40 due to the Level 2 regulations. We also have a very limited TICKET BUNDLE where you can go to all five events for only $50 and you receive a free merch bag!

More information and links to the events are here. Tickets only $15 +BF - 

THE MUSIC - September 20th - Tickets

THE IMAGE - October 4th - Tickets

THE BUSINESS - October 11th - Tickets

THE RELEASE - November 8th - Tickets

THE SHOW - November 29th - Tickets

SPECIAL TICKET BUNDLE - All 5 events for only $50 plus a merch bag worth $25 - Ticket

The first event was excellent and the mentoring sessions were all booked up straight after the event so get in quick and book before!

Waiata Maori Music Awards postponed, Waiata Māori Iconic Award recipients for 2021 announced

Kia ora koutou katoa. The organisers of the National Waiata Māori Music Awards have had to make the tough decision yet again to move the 2021 event online, with safety of the people being priority. He waka eke noa!

Announcing the Waiata Māori Iconic Award recipients 2021 and that WMMA will be going online!

Organisers of the National Waiata Māori Music Awards have had to make the tough decision yet again to move the 2021 event online, with safety of the people being a the priority.  

It comes after the Government announced Auckland will stay at alert level 4 for now while the rest of the country, south of Tāmaki will soon go to level 2. The awards event was due to be held on Friday 10th September in Hawke’s Bay. Traditionally, a large number of guests and finalists would come from all over Aotearoa, as well as some from overseas to celebrate our award recipients.  

This year we announce two of our iconic award recipients, former politician, educator and kapa haka exponent Tā Pita Sharples is this year’s recipient of the Waiata Māori Awards “Te Tohu Kaitiaki Tikanga Pūoru - Keeper of Tradition” iconic award. 

The award recognises Tā Pita’s lifelong contribution to the retention and promotion of traditional waiata, through not only education but also in his role establishing and leading Tāmaki based kapa haka Te Roopū Manutaki which he set up in 1968. 

Waiata Māori Awards executive director Ellison Huata says Tā Pita has shown tremendous leadership throughout the years and for over half a century has provided young urban Māori a haven to celebrate cultural identity. 

“To honour Tā Pita this year at the Waiata Māori Awards is a celebration of his dedication and love of all things Māori. Te Roopū Manutaki has given Aotearoa a wealth of iconic waiata Māori and his nomination was well supported.” 

Tā Pita of Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngai Te Kikiri o te Rangi and Ngāti Pahauwera was brought up in Waipawa and educated at Takapau Primary, Waipukurau District High School and Te Aute College. He led the establishment of intertribal marae Hoani Waititi in West Auckland and founded the country’s first kura kaupapa Māori in 1985.

Among his list of achievements includes the creation of the New Zealand National School of Māori Weaponry, the Race Relations Office Chief Executive Officer from 1972, 1980 and 2000, He Tohunga Toi Huarewa o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu, Māori Party co-leader from 2004 to 2013 and is a member of the Ngāti Kahungunu iwi Taumata.

Joining Tā Pita this year in receiving an iconic award is singer Che Fu who is the recipient of this year’s Te Tohu o te Ahumahi Pūoru - Music Industry Award which celebrates success and contribution to music. 

Che Fu, a founding member of the band Supergroove, rose to fame when he featured on DLT’s production of number one hit 'Chains'. As a solo artist, he has sold thousands of albums both in New Zealand and internationally. His first three studio albums received platinum and gold sales and produced hits that have become entrenched into New Zealand song history.

Che Fu is of Tainui and Ngāti Raukawa descent on his mother Miriama Rauhihi Ness’ side and Niuean on his father Tigilau Ness’ side, Che Fu is relentless in his dedication to taking music to the country. 

Ellison Huata says recognising Che and Tā Pita’s contribution to Māori music is a wonderful end to Māori Music Month. There will still be an awards event for 2021, to acknowledge all recipients but there will be an online version, to be held at the later date of October 9. 

“We plan to run it as an online, virtual event but still have a presence at Toitoi - Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre, the venue where we planned to run the awards event this year.” 

Ellison said it would be a mixture of pre-recorded material and live performances for the virtual event which will be streamed online. 

“We know a lot of people will be disappointed, we wanted this year’s awards event to be a  positive way to bring people through the challenges of 2020 & 2021. We still want people to tune in to watch this year’s awards event, to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our Māori singers, songwriters and performers."

AOTEAROA MUSIC INDUSTRY CALLS ON GOVERNMENT FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE

The music industry is seeking immediate assistance from government in the face of ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

Since the start of the August lockdown, hundreds of live music events have been postponed or cancelled across the country, impacting artists, crew, workers and businesses in the live music sector.

While some businesses can open at Alert Level 2, larger music events are impossible, and smaller gigs are not economically viable, especially with the new Delta Alert Level 2 restrictions.

The music industry supports the government’s Covid response which enabled kiwis to enjoy a summer of live music in 2020/2021.

However, targeted financial assistance is urgently needed now to support artists and the infrastructure that enables live music, including crew, support staff, workers, production suppliers, venues and promoters. Music organisations have written to government requesting urgent targeted assistance including:

• extension of the wage subsidy to cover the live music sector at alert level 2 as well as higher alert levels, or an equivalent income support payment from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage Arts and Culture Covid Recovery Fund
• a contribution to charity MusicHelps to fund emergency relief grants to individual artists and support payments for music businesses and
• funding an extension of the NZ Music Venue Infrastructure Fund.

The organisations have also sought targeted support for the sector over the coming six months, by way of setting aside a fund for future needs, providing cancellation insurance for live events, review and reallocation of remaining funds in the MCH Arts and Culture Recovery Fund, further funding to continue the Aotearoa Touring Fund and music making via NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho, and expediting the commitment to support for creative careers similar to the previous PACE scheme.

For further information or media enquiries please contact:
Lydia Jenkin at APRA AMCOS on ljenkin@apra.co.nz or
Jo Oliver at Recorded Music NZ on jo@recordedmusic.co.nz

Rua tekau mā whitu ngā waiata hou e whakanui nei i te umanga puoro reorua o Aotearoa | Twenty-seven new waiata celebrating the bilingual music industry of Aotearoa

New releases mark 2021 Waiata Anthems Week

Today the Waiata/Anthems Coalition release the latest new waiata by more than two dozen established and emerging artists to celebrate the bilingual music industry in Aotearoa.

Following on from the momentum of the original 2019 waiata compilation album, today’s 27 new recordings have been released by Stan Walker, Paige, Sons of Zion, Georgia Lines, Tomorrow People, Troy Kingi, Louis Baker, Anna Coddington, and many, many more.

These songs join the already released ‘Pepeha’ by SIX60 and ‘Ko Te Hīnātoretanga’ by Hollie Smith and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Creator of Waiata/Anthems Dame Hinewehi Mohi says the collective music industry of Aotearoa coming together to celebrate and support a truly bilingual landscape is heartening.

“We’re supporting the movement with musicians from across the country to encourage all New Zealanders to celebrate our nation’s heritage language and to make it accessible through the power of music,” says Mohi.

“Creating this collection of waiata has been a journey for many of the artists involved, giving them a chance to connect with Te Ao Māori and their place in Aotearoa like never before.”

The full list of releases is below:

-         SIX60 - ‘Pepeha’

-         Stan Walker - ‘Tau Te Mārire / Take It Easy’

-         Hamo Dell - ‘Ora Ai / Feeling Right’

-         Paige - ‘Taiāniwha / Waves’

-         Niko Walters - ‘Aroha Kaitangata / Vicious Love’

-         Mikey Dam - ‘Māu / Would You’

-         Anna Coddington ft. Louis Baker - ‘Aho / Beams’

-         Muroki - ‘Rehurehu / Wavy’

-         Reuben Fleetwood - ‘Haere Rā / So Do You’’

-         Sons of Zion - ‘He Aroha Hinemoa / Love on the Run’

-         Hollie Smith feat. NZSO - ‘Ko Te Hīnātoretanga / Coming in from the Dark’

-         Troy Kingi - ‘Te Wai Nō Rua Whetū / Aztechknowledgey’

-         Ria Hall - ‘Rangatira / Owner’

-         Tomorrow People - ‘Rise Up’

-         Valkyrie - ‘A Hakamana’

-         Rei - 'Hoki Mai / Come Back To Me’

-         Huia - 'Marama La Luna / Moon Moon’

-         Ka Hao ft. Rob Ruha - ‘35’

-         Louis Baker - ‘Te Utu o Te Aroha’

-         Georgia Lines - ‘Tōrere / My Love’

-         Tama Waipara ft. Maisey Rika - ‘Tiaho Iho Rā / East Coast Moon’

-         William Waiirua - ‘Mauri Mahi, Mauri Ora / Do The Mahi, Get The Treats’

-         Diaz Grimm - ‘Te Kore’

-         Goldsmith Baynes - ‘Tīpuna’

-        Ainslie Allen - ‘Te Ua Ka Mao’

-        IA - ‘Whetū’

-        Kings ft. Theia - ‘Pohewatia’

Due to Alert Level lockdowns, the events planned to support the Waiata Anthems releases will be postponed until further notice.

All the waiata released can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Amazon Music, Tidal and more.

-       Audio playlists for Waiata Anthems 2021 available from September 3rd https://www.waiataanthems.co.nz/music

-       Video playlist for Waiata Anthems 2021 available from September 3rd  https://www.waiataanthems.co.nz/video

For more information, please visit www.waiataanthems.co.nz.

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Ko ngā whakaputanga hou hei tohu i te Wiki o Waiata Anthems 2021

I te rangi nei ka whakaputaina e Waiata/Anthems ngā waiata hou rawa a koni atu i te rua tekau mā whā kaiwaiata taunga noa nei me ngā kaiwaiata hou rawa ki te whakanui i te umanga puoro reorua o Aotearoa.

Hei whai ake i te ānga o te waiata compilation album 2019, ko ngā waiata rua tekau mā whitu o te rangi nei kua puta i a Stan Walker rātau ko Paige, ko Sons of Zion, ko Georgia Lines, ko Tomorrow People, Troy Kingi, Louis Baker, Anna Coddington me te huhua, huhua noa atu.

Ko ēnei waiata nei hei hoa haere mō ‘Pepeha’ nā SIX60, mō ‘Ko Te Hīnātoretanga’ nā Hollie Smith me Te Tira Puoro o Aotearoa.

Hei tā Kahurangi Hinewehi Mohi, kaihanga o Waiata/Anthems, he tānga manawa te whakanuia o tētahi taiao reorua e te whakatōputanga huinga tira puoro o Aotearoa.

“E tautokohia ana e mātau te kaupapa a ngā ringapuoro puta noa i te motu ki te whakatītina i te whakanuia o te reo tuku iho o tō tātau whenua e Ngāi Aotearoa, ā, mā roto mai i te mana o te puoro” tā Mohi.

“He tūāoma te hangaia o tēnei kohinga waiata ki te nuinga o ngā kaiwaiata, i whai wāhi ai rātau ki te toro ki Te Ao Māori, ki tō ratau anō hononga ki Aotearoa, kāre anō kia kitea.”

Ko te roanga atu o ngā whakaputanga kei raro iho nei:

-        ‘Pepeha’ - Nā SIX60

-        ‘Tau Te Mārire / Take It Easy’ - Nā Stan Walker

-        ‘Ora Ai / Feeling Right’ - Nā Hamo Deli

-        ‘Taiāniwha / Waves’ - Nā Paige

-        ‘Aroha Kaitangata / Vicious Love’ - Nā Niko Walters

-        ‘Māu / Would You’ – Nā Mikey Dam

-        ‘Aho / Beams’ – Nā Anna Coddington me Louis Baker

-        ‘Rehurehu / Wavy’ - Nā Muroki

-        ‘Haere Rā / So Do You’ - Nā Reuben Fleetwood

-        ‘He Aroha Hinemoa / Love on the Run’ - Nā Sons of Zion

-        ‘Ko Te Hīnātoretanga / Coming in from the Dark’ - Nā Hollie Smith me Te Tira Puoro o Aotearoa

-        ‘Te Wai Nō Rua Whetū / Aztechknowledgey’ - Nā Troy Kingi

-        ‘Rangatira / Owner’ - Nā Ria Hall

-        ‘Rise Up’ - Nā Tomorrow People

-        ‘A Hakamana’ - Nā Valkyrie

-        'Hoki Mai / Come Back To Me’ – Nā Rei

-        'Marama La Luna / Moon Moon’ – Nā Huia Hamon

-        ‘35’ – Nā Ka Hao me Rob Ruha

-        ‘Te Utu o Te Aroha’ – Nā Louis Baker

-        ‘Tōrere / My Love’ – Nā Georgia Lines

-        ‘Tiaho Iho Rā / East Coast Moon’ – Nā Tama Waipara me Maisey Rika

-        ‘Mauri Mahi, Mauri Ora / Do The Mahi, Get The Treats’ – Nā Willian Waiirua

-        ‘Te Kore’ – Nā Diaz Grimm

-        ‘Tīpuna’ – Nā Goldsmith Baynes

-        ‘Te Ua Ka Mao’ – Nā Ainslie Allen

-        ‘Whetū’ – Nā IA

-        ‘Pohewatia’ – Nā Kings me Theia

I te āhua ki ngā Rāhui ā-Motu Pae Mataara, i whakatārewatia ai ngā kaupapa i whakaritea hei tuara mō te whakaputanga o Waiata Anthems.

Ka kitea ngā whakaputanga waiata ki Spotify, Apple Music, TiriAta, Amazon Music, Tidal me ētahi atu anō hoki.

-       Ka wātea ngā rārangi Oro a Waiata Anthems 2021 ki te katoa hei te 3 o Mahuru https://www.waiataanthems.co.nz/music

-       Ka wātea te rārangi Ataata a Waiata Anthems 2021 ki te katoa hei te 3 o Mahuru https://www.waiataanthems.co.nz/video

Mō ētahi atu whakamārama, toro atu ki www.waiataanthems.co.nz

Presenting the finalists for the 14th annual Waiata Maori Music Awards

The 2021 awards will be held in Hastings at Toi Toi Hawkes Bay Arts & Events Centre on September the 10th and will feature many of your favourite Māori artists. As well as the nominees and live performances, the evening is always filled with laughter, manaaki and of course, delicious kai.

This year's nominations feature our celebrated Aotearoa artists as well as some new voices, who are welcomed into the Māori music awards with open arms. After the difficult year in 2020, we look forward to seeing everyone in person at the 14th National Waiata Māori Music Awards 2021.

Our wāhine artists such as Anna Coddington, Ainsley Allen, Mistee K, Paige and Vayne are all nominees this year and we honor our wāhine Māori as a vital voice of te ao Māori. 

Anna Coddington is a singer/songwriter/producer and her album Beams is up for Best Māori Pop Album, Vayne for Gutta Girl and Misstee K’s The New Chapter Album are all up for awards. Ainsley Allen and Paige are in the running as nominees for Best Wāhine Māori Solo Artist.

Currently at the top of the te reo Māori charts are NLC, who are finalists for the Best Māori Reggae/Roots Album for Trouble, alongside Grove Roots for their album Iwi. Hāni Dread is a finalist for Best Single By A Māori Artist with his waiata Kōkiri, Kings is up for Best Hip Hiphop Album for Raplist alongside Adam Tukiri with SON.

Returning award winners, Troy Kingi, Stan Walker, L.A.B and Tipene Harmer are finalists in multiple categories. Up for Best Māori Solo Artist is Hawkins, who is no stranger to the industry. Nominated for Best RnB album is Louis Baker with Love Levitates, in good company alongside Mara TK, who is also in the running for the Best Māori Solo Artist.

Other Waiata Māori Music Awards artists are previous award-winners Tomorrow People, Morse Gang and also IA who are all finalists for Best Māori Group.  

With a talented list of Māori artists, this year's awards are going to be tū meke!

Independent judges have assessed the work of the artists online, individually, rather than as a group or collective panel. The results were submitted via the internet to the awards administrator and collated. Judges have been nominated from the music industry, both Māori and mainstream musicians, composers, producers, managers and music organisations. 

Following is the full list of nominees and for more information, go to:

www.waiatamaoriawards.co.nz 

FINALISTS 2021

Best Māori Hip Hop Album:  

Adam Tukiri – SON

Kings - Raplist

Tipene Harmer - Heritage Trail

Vayne - Gutta Girl

Best Māori RnB Album:

Louis Baker - Love Levitates

Mara TK - Bad Meditation

Mistee K - The Next Chapter

Troy Kingi - The Ghost of Freddie Cesar

Best Māori Roots/Reggae Album:            

Grove Roots - Iwi

NLC - Trouble

Best Māori Pop Album:

Anna Coddington - Beams

L.A.B - L.A.B IV

Teeks - Something to Feel

Troy Kingi - The Ghost of Freddie Cesar

Best Māori Tāne Solo Artist:          

Mara TK

Teeks

Tipene Harmer

Troy Kingi

Best Māori Wāhine Solo Artist:                

Ainslee Allen

Anna Coddington

Mistee K

Paige

Best Māori Group:

IA

L.A.B

Morse Gang

Tomorrow People

Best Single By a Māori Artist:

Hāni Dread - Kōkiri

Hawkins - Can't Leave It Alone

L.A.B - Why Oh Why

Stan Walker - Bigger

Tipene Harmer - Tūrangawaewae

Best Māori Songwriter:

L.A.B - Why Oh Why

Mara TK - Te Kete Aronui

Teeks - Remember Me

Tipene Harmer - Tūrangawaewae

Troy Kingi - All Your Ships Have Sailed 

Best Music Video by a Māori Artist:

Grove Roots - Atua Māori 

L.A.B - Why Oh Why

Stan Walker – Bigger

Teeks – Younger

Troy Kingi - First Take Strut

WOMAD NZ RETURNS 18-20 MARCH, 2022

WOMAD, the world’s festival, is delighted that following New Plymouth District Council’s announcement of a host city agreement with WOMAD International, New Zealand's premier international festival will return to its home of the last 18 years in the stunning Brooklands Park in Taranaki in 2022. The festival dates of March 18-20 have been confirmed.

After a year off in 2021 due to the global pandemic, 2022 will be an extra special year with all the features that have made WOMAD NZ an award-winning festival along with a raft of new ideas and exciting developments to celebrate its return.

Getting WOMAD NZ back up and happening has been a priority for Director of WOMAD International, Chris Smith. 

Smith, who has been in New Plymouth for the festival for the last 14 years comments, “2021 was such a difficult year around the world, but this partnership agreement has been central to the decision to bring the festival back in 2022.  WOMAD means so much to the people of New Plymouth who welcome our artists into their community and the festival brings a significant investment into the regional economy – We simply can’t wait to be back here in March.”

Now in a five-year direct partnership with the New Plymouth District Council, the three-day WOMAD festival will continue to be produced by TAFT (Taranaki Arts Festival Trust) who have presented the festival in New Plymouth since 2003.

CEO of TAFT, Suzanne Porter remarks, “Over the last 30 years, TAFT has proven that we have the expertise to deliver world-class festivals and events that have positioned Taranaki as a tourist destination, boosted the local economy, and ensured that our people access arts and cultural experiences outside of the metropolitan areas. TAFT is incredibly grateful for the surety that NPDC has provided, ensuring that WOMAD NZ can still call the beautiful Bowl of Brooklands, Taranaki, its home here in New Zealand. We are delighted to be partnering with WOMAD International once again.”

The WOMAD festival provides a substantial economic boost to the Taranaki region pulling in over 11,000 visitors to the region each year and delivering $6 million dollars into the local economy.

Chairman of the TAFT Board Charles Wilkinson adds, “TAFT is thrilled to continue to deliver WOMAD to the thousands of people who attend each year.  2022 will see the WOMAD NZ festival carry on business as usual for our festival teams and volunteers. We are looking forward to welcoming back WOMAD audiences for our 17th anniversary year.”

New Plymouth District Mayor, Neil Holdom said, “This is awesome news for music lovers, local business and visitors as the country emerges from our Covid bubble. WOMAD is part of our district’s DNA.”

Smith adds, “We are intending to deliver the international line-up that WOMAD NZ fans expect, through the richly diverse talent already here in New Zealand and hopefully supported by a number of artists from overseas if circumstances allow.”

WOMAD NZ 2022  is set to be a glittering celebration of our Aotearoa/New Zealand cultures and the diversity of our magnificent world as always.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE RECORDED MUSIC NZ MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARDS NOW OPEN

Nominations for the 2021 Recorded Music NZ Manager of The Year Award are now open.

The Recorded Music NZ Manager of the Year | Kaiwhakahaere Puoro o te Tau award recognises the tireless commitment of Kiwi managers working behind the scenes to support the success of New Zealand’s musicians.

The unwavering perserverance, dedication and achievements of artist managers and self-managed artists are cause for acknowledgement and celebration – particularly after another challenging year of navigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Recorded Music NZ Manager of the Year award recipient will be announced at the sixth annual AMA Artisan Awards, to be held at Massey University’s School of Music and Creative Media Production in Wellington. This years' ceremony reverts to a live awards event, after a pre-recorded televised broadcast was conducted for 2020.

The award will be presented alongside the Tui’s for Te Kaiwhakaputa Toa | Best Producer, Te Kaipukaha Toa | Best Engineer, Te Puoro Ataata Toa | Best Music Video, Te Toi Ataata Pukaemi | Best Album Artwork, and the return of the bi-annual Kaiārahi Puoro o te Tau | Music Teacher of The Year award.

Nominations for the Recorded Music NZ Manager of the Year award are open from Wednesday 26 May to 5pm Monday 21 June. 

Eligibility period is 1 June 2020 – 31 May 2021, covering a 12 month period for the 2021 Award. Terms and Conditions apply.

A MESSAGE FROM THE MMF AOTEAROA

Paul McKessar has returned all awards previously given to him by the MMF including Manager of the Year awards. This follows admissions made by Paul in media reports in January 2021 relating to the MMF Aotearoa Code of Conduct.

In light of the admissions of misconduct made by Scott MacLachlan in media reports in January 2021, the MMF has also asked Scott to return all awards previously given to him including Manager of the Year awards.