Emotion was the order of the night as some of New Zealand's top musical talent was celebrated and a late industry giant was commemorated at the national Waiata Maori awards in Hastings last night.
The awards recognised such stars as Ranea, as male solo artist of the year, Majic Paora, as female solo artist of the year, and regular award winners and campus-founded band Six60 as Best Maori Pop artist or artists, whose hit Special was named Best Song by a Maori artist.
Among the award recipients was Wellington-based Toni Huata, from Hastings, a finalist in two categories and recognised for the Best Video of the Year by a Maori artist, for the production Hopukia o Te Tao, heading off four other finalists, including Six60.
The night opened with a commemoration of the life of Tama Huata, who founded the Kahurangi Performing Arts School in Hastings, a career recognised with the posthumous award for Lifetime Contribution to Maori Music, while Mauriora Kingi, who died in June, was recognised posthumously with the Keeper of Traditions Award.
