Bay of Plenty musicians are among those named as finalists in this year's New Zealand Music Awards.
The award finalists were announced at a ceremony in Auckland on Wednesday night with former Rotorua resident Seth Haapu, Te Arawa's Ria Hall and Whakatane's Whirimako Black named.
Haapu is nominated in the best male solo artist category and is up against Bulletproof and Unknown Metal Orchestra.
The former Rotorua Boys High School student and top-30 Australian Idol finalist released his self-titled debut album last year which he described as bubble-gum pop.
Hall and Black are both finalists in the best Maori album category. Hall was nominated for her album Ria Hall and Black for her album with Richard Nunns called Te More.