Pride of the Pacific

Dei Hamo with his awards at the Pacific Music Awards. Phil Walter/Getty Images

Dai Hamo took it "to tha floor" at the Pacific Music Awards last night at Manukau's Telstra Clear stadium and was the big winner.

The south Auckland hip-hop star won best Pacific male artist and best Pacific hip-hop artist for his debut album First Edition. He was up against hip-hop heavyweights Savage and King Kapisi in both categories.

Savage won best song for Swing from his album Moonshine.

Annie Puletiuatoa beat NZ Idol winner Rosita Vai to take best female Pacific artist.

The special Lifetime Achievement award went to 82-year-old New Zealand music legend and Hawaiian steel guitar supremo Bill Sevesi.

Other awards included: Mt Vaea Band for best album and best group. Richard Recalde won the most promising artist award.

Meanwhile, nominations for this year's New Zealand Music Awards are open at www.nzmusicawards.co.nz

The winners will be announced at Auckland's Aotea Centre on October 18.