Kiwi music stars walk the red carpet (+gallery)

A who's who of the New Zealand music industry has started arriving for tonight's New Zealand Music Awards.

Held at Vector Arena in Auckland, the stars started arriving from 6pm to walk the red carpet into the venue for the annual bash, which will feature performances by Broods, Benny Tipene, Blacklistt and special dedication to tonight's Legacy Award winners Supergroove.

Photos: VNZMA: Red Carpet

Image 1 of 8: Ben and Jono hit the red carpet. Photo / Dean Purcell.

Broods, Tipene, Sol3 Mio and X Factor judges Willy Moon with his wife Natalia Kills were among the first to arrive, receiving screams and applause from waiting fans.

Among the artists fighting it out for awards tonight is Lorde, who is up for five awards, including Single of the Year and Album of the Year for

Pure Heroine

.

Other stars up for awards include South Auckland opera trio Sol3 Mio, Christchurch band Doprah and brother-sister combo Broods - who will all go head to head for the Breakthrough Artist of the Year gong.

* Follow our live blog through the night here.
* See the nominees here.

- nzherald.co.nz