Waiata Māori Music Awards 2024 - Finalists Announced

The 17th National Waiata Māori Music Awards will be a celebration of Aotearoa - New Zealand's leading Māori music artists, performers, and songwriters.

The events Executive Director - Ellison Huata, has released the names of this year’s finalists showcasing a diverse mix of talented, emerging, and accomplished musicians, composers, and performers in the Māori music industry. This marks the start of Te Marama Pūoru Waiata Māori – Māori Music Month (August), ahead of the awards event scheduled for Friday, 6th September at the Toi Toi Hawkes Bay Arts and Events Centre.

The theme for the 2024 awards is ‘Toitū te Toiere’.

‘'Toitū te Toiere’ is a powerful statement that emphasises the importance of preserving and protecting the messages within our waiata. It is a call to ensure that our voices and the messages we convey through music remain undisturbed and continue to inspire and empower our people to decolonise their minds. Just as 'Toitū te Tiriti', 'Toitū te Māori Mana Motuhake', and 'Toitū Te Reo' have highlighted important themes in our journey towards cultural resurgence, 'Toitū te Toiere' reminds us of the significance of our music in carrying forward our stories, teachings, and aspirations. Let us uphold and safeguard the integrity of our waiata, for they carry the essence of who we are and the dreams we hold for future generations.

Anna Coddington, Mahina Lawrence, Paige, Te Kura Huia, and newcomer Haanaa are finalists for Best Māori Female Solo Artist. The male contenders are, former winners Mohi, Rei, Seth Haapu, Hori Shaw, and Shane Walker are finalists for Best Māori Male Solo Artist. The depth and breadth of talent within the Māori music industry are evident in this year's nominations, showcasing the richness and diversity of Māori music and its contribution to the cultural resurgence and storytelling of our people.

The National Waiata Māori Music Awards continue to be a platform for honouring and celebrating the excellence and creativity of Māori musicians, further solidifying their place in the music industry and in the hearts of the people.

17th Annual Waiata Māori Music Awards Finalists

2024

Te Tohu o te Kaitito Waiata | Best Māori Song Writer

• Mahina Lawrence

• Coterie

• Rei

• Seth Haapu

• Haanaa

Te Tohu Ataata Autaia | Best Music Video by a Māori Artist

• Grove Roots - Toitū Te Tiriti

• 1 Drop Nation - Moment in Time

• Coterie – Paradise

• Aro - Tōtara

• Rei - Toitū

• Seth Haapu - Whai Ora

Te Tohu Kaipūoru Aratini Māori Autaia | Best Pop Album by a Māori Artist

• Aro - He Rākau, He Ngārara

• Anna Coddington - Te Whakamiha

• Te Paea Seasons - Seasons

Te Tohu Kaipūoru Māori Noho Taone Autaia | Best Hip Hop & RnB Album by a Māori Artist

• C33Y - Find Your Way

• Diaz Grimm - Māui & the Sin

• Te Paea Seasons - Seasons

• Seth Haapu - Whai Ora

Te Tohu Kōpae Reo Māori Autaia | Best Te Reo Māori Album

• Aro - He Rākau, He Ngārara

• MOHI - Elements of Aroha

• Anna Coddington - Te Whakamiha

Te Tohu Kōpaeroa Autaia | Best Māori Urban Roots Reggae Album

• Come on Up - Fyah-brations

• NLC - Journey

• 1 Drop Nation - Moment In Time

Te Tohu Manu Tioriori Tāne Autaia | Best Māori Male Solo Artist

• MOHI

• Rei

• Seth Haapu

• Hori Shaw

• Shane Walker

Te Tohu Manu Tioriori Wahine Autaia | Best Māori Female Solo Artist

• Te KuraHuia

• Mahina Lawrence

• Anna Coddington

• Paige

• Haanaa

Te Tohu o te Waiata Māori Hira | Best Single by a Māori Artist

• MOHI - Me Pēhea Rā

• Mahina Lawrence - 7 Seas

• Anna Coddington - Kātuarehe

• Seth Haapu - Whai Ora

• Coterie - Paradise

Te Tohu Rōpū Māori Autaia | Best Māori Group

• Corrella

• Coterie

• 1 Drop Nation

Ponsonby Social Club Rice & Beans Festival Announced ft. Miguel Fuentes & Mark Baynes + More

“Arroz com feijão” or “rice and beans” are what Brazilians consider to be a foundation of daily life and culture. That’s why Ponsonby Social Club proprietor Bobby Brazuka has named his new festival Rice & Beans — "a month long celebration of Latin music and culture" starting this Friday. Amongst the stellar lineup are Latin jazz artist Miguel Fuentes with pianist Mark Baynes, Afro Cuban quartet Santiago Soul Stars, Latin rockers BARDO, the Brazilian flavours of Leandro Vasques & Band and energetic sizzlers Samba Dos Amigos — on offer for the Sunday show also will be a custom selection of treats by PSC's former chef Renato Ribeiro.

This double-dishing up of delectable sounds and food is what makes PSC stand out from the crowd, as Brazuka continues to provide a diverse music and culinary menu at his well-established space — as seen with their recent ASIAN SOUND(SCAPES) and UBUNTU multi-night festivals. Ponsonby's iconic SPQR going into liquidation earlier this month demonstrates it is more important than ever to support our locally owned and operated nightspots. Nourish yourself at Rice & Beans this winter, enjoy a live show and dinner at the following dates…

Rice & Beans Festival - Ponsonby Social Club, Auckland

B.A.I.L.E with Leandro Vasques and Band - Friday 26th July

Santiago Soul Stars - Saturday 27th July

Miguel Fuentes & Baynes Band - Friday 9th August

Feijoado Samba Dos Amigos, DJ Vitor Cabrera - Sunday 18th August (1pm start)

BARDO - Saturday 31st August

Tickets available HERE via UTR

MANU TAUPUNGA Announce New Matariki Single 'Hine Mokemoke'

MANU TAUPUNGA
Announce New Matariki Single

‘Hine Mokemoke’
Pre-save ‘Hine Mokemoke’ here

‘Hine Mokemoke’ is the new waiata from artists TAWAZ, Jordyn With a Why, Mārei, MĀ, Chase Woods, Henare Kaa of Dillastrate, and Kings - members of artist collective MANU TAUPUNGA. From participating in Waiata Anthems to this new venture, these artists proudly announce the Matariki release of their new musical collaboration.

The waiata is the labour of a 48-hour collaborative songwriting intensive made possible through the support of NZ On Air, Manu Taupunga ki Ruātoki, that saw seven ‘city-slicker' Māori artists ‘go bush’.

In late May, ngā Manu Taupunga ventured into the heart of Te Urewera, guided by Tūhoe 'artivist' Tame Iti and music legend Whirimako Black. Guided by music producer and Tūhoe son, Kings, the seven artists then crafted a waiata inspired by the essence of their exploration into te taiao and its cultural connection to Matariki.

“‘Hine Mokemoke’ is that lonely little voice inside of us who cries out for real connections and longs for genuine relationships with one’s land and people - those present and those who are now shining down on us, up in the sky.

Like Matariki and the stars, allow ‘Hine Mokemoke’ to guide you back to your whenua, to your people, to your whakapapa.”

- TAWAZ

Sexual Harm Prevention in the Music Community

Kia ora

My name is Jess Haugh, and I am currently a Masters student in the School of Psychology at Waipapa Taumata Rau (The University of Auckland), supervised by Professor Virginia Braun. I am also involved in the music community as a musician, producer, and audio engineer, and run a community organisation that supports women and gender diverse musicians called Women About Sound.

For my Masters’ research I am doing a project exploring men’s understandings of the issue of sexual harm, and men’s/their role in prevention, within the music community in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Through the research, I hope to invite men to be part of a solution-focused project that contributes to making the New Zealand music community a more inclusive, safe space for all.

To explore this topic, I am facilitating focus groups (group discussions) with 3-5 adult men per group.

I am currently recruiting participants, and want to reach out to as many men as I can who participate in the independent music community as musicians, promoters and music producers.

If you are interested in sharing this project, I have a recruitment flyer that I have attached that has information about the project for potential participants that you could share.

Or if you have any further questions about my research, please get in touch by emailing jhau006@aucklanduni.ac.nz

This project has been approved by the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee on 23/05/2024 for three years. Reference Number UAHPEC27669.

Ngā mihi,

Jess

Pacificast & Signature Tautai Trust Present: Musika Moana Choir Competition

A celebration of Pacific choral singing 

Watch the Promotional Launch Video HERE 

Event organisers Pacificast and Signature Tautai Trust are excited to announce the inaugural Musika Moana Choir Competition. Following the resounding success of “Mana Moana” featuring Signature Choir and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 2023, this competition offers the unique chance for Pacific community choirs from across Aotearoa to showcase their talent in some of the country’s most prestigious venues. 

"We are thrilled to launch the Musika Moana Choir Competition, an event that  celebrates our love of singing and its power to make a difference," said event  spokesperson Helen Tupai. "This competition is not only about showcasing our amazing pasifika choirs, but also to highlight the strength of our communities, the richness of our pasifika culture and the unity we enjoy through music”. 

The competition will be held in Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch and will feature esteemed judges from around the country, renowned for their expertise in Pacific music. Choirs will be assessed across several categories, including vocal performance, musicality, and creativity. 

To elevate its impact on the community, the Musika Moana Choir Competition will offer substantial prizes from a total pool of $100,000. This is to recognize and reward the dedication and talent of the top choirs, with the intention that the prize money will go towards initiatives and projects that contribute to the betterment of that community. 

The Musika Moana Choir Competition invites Pacific choirs from across New Zealand to join in this celebration of music, culture, and community. Each choir will be required to perform two songs: the competition song composed by Tupai (who is also a renowned choir director and composer); and a song of their choice. All songs will be sung in a pacific language of the choir’s choosing. 

The dates for the 2024 competitions: 

Wellington: September 7th| Auckland: September 21st| Christchurch: September 28th 

For more information on how to enter or attend the Musika Moana Choir Competition, please visit www.musikamoana.com or email admin@musikamoana.com 

Follow Musika Moana Choir Competition on Social Media: 

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RELEASE

Join Quirky Music for an enlightening four-part online workshop series focusing on the intricacies of creating, producing, planning, and promoting your next musical release.

Led by industry professionals, participants will have the unique opportunity to learn from accomplished figures in the field, including producer Andy Knopp (Volts, The Response, Rodney Fisher), award-winning artist Jenny Mitchell, and artist development mentor & music marketer Katie Thompson.

In these engaging sessions, we will embark on an exploration of the artistic journey, providing valuable insights from the creator's perspective. From the initial spark of inspiration to the final stages of production, our workshops will unravel the entire music-making process. Gain practical knowledge on the essential elements crucial for a successful music release and discover best practices for effective promotion. These sessions are meticulously designed to equip you with a holistic understanding of the creative process, empowering you to confidently bring your music into the world.

The "RELEASE" program caters specifically to artists based in New Zealand who have either recently released music or are planning to do so in the near future.

"The workshops aim to provide emerging artists with valuable insights and direct access to seasoned professionals within the music industry," said Katie Thompson. "I'm thrilled to lead this program and collaborate with a group of dedicated and talented artists."

This invaluable program is priced at $49 and has been made possible with the generous support of Recorded Music.

Applications for RELEASE will be open from March 12 to March 26. All sessions will be conducted via Zoom, and detailed dates can be found on our website.

For more information, including application criteria and to apply, please visit quirkymusic.co.nz/.

"I Go Side On"

"I Go Side On"

an exhibition celebrating the life and creative work of Hamish Kilgour that will include many examples of his artwork, music, videos, record cover designs, inspirations, photos and found art.

Hamish

Many will know Hamish as the drummer and one of the songwriters with the Clean. He was also a prolific artist. Hamish encouraged and supported many performers and was integral to the flourishing international success of Flying Nun Records here in Otautahi.

The late 1980's saw Hamish settling in New York where he based himself for nearly 30 years, frequently returning to Aotearoa to perform while also catching up with family and friends. From 2018 he initiated his return to New Zealand to make Otautahi his home base again. He continued to paint, play music and engage with many - he was our last beatnik.

Sadly, Hamish left this mortal coil in 2022.

"I Go Side On" is in his memory, a tribute to a unique senstive being that touched the souls of many.

LEVEL UP YOUR MUSIC BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE WITH KATIE THOMPSON

Emerging artists looking to enhance their knowledge and take their music career to new heights can now apply for the "LEVEL UP" comprehensive one day workshop in Lincoln.

This workshop is designed to provide participants with the tools they need to up-skill and succeed in the competitive music industry. Led by Artist Development consultant Katie Thompson, "LEVEL UP" will offer ten participants the opportunity to take part in a one day workshop and meet fellow musicians in the region.

The workshop will cover a range of essential topics, including Goal Setting, Music Industry Insights, Image & Branding, Funding Options & Single Release Checklist.

The "LEVEL UP" programme is for artists who demonstrate talent and are currently working towards releasing original music.

Participants will benefit from the opportunity to gain insights into the music industry from a seasoned professional, receive feedback on their progress and set actionable goals for their future.

"The workshop is designed to help emerging artists develop their skills, gain knowledge and confidence," said Thompson. "I'm excited to be leading this programme for my community."

This workshop costs $29 and was made with the support of the Selwyn District Councils Creative Communities fund.

Applications for Level Up open on 1 December and close on 7 January. The workshop will be held at Lincoln Event Centre Saturday 20 January.

For more information and to apply, visit quirkymusic.co.nz/level-up-selwyn/