THE WAIATA MAORI MUSIC AWARDS FINALISTS (2019): Kia kaha and kon-gratulations

Now in its 12th year, the Waiata Maori Music Awards celebrate excellence in Maori music, honouring the keepers, teachers, promoters, creators and performers of Maori music.

And now, during Te Marama Puoru Waiata Maori - Maori Music Month - comes the announcement of the finalists for the 2019 Waiata Maori Music Awards, with four nominations each to Kora brothers-founded group L.A.B. and Waiwhetu Wellington band Grove Roots.

Theia is up for best female solo artist as well as best music video; 2016 and 2017 best female solo artist winner Amba Holly is nominated again in the same category and Maimoa member PERE is nominated for best male solo artist. Longtime reggae favourites Katchafire are nominated for best song and best songwriter.

The awards will be presented at a red carpet extravaganza ceremony at Club Hastings on Friday, September 13. 
The ceremony will be livestreamed on Waiata Māori Music Awards (see their Facebook page here) and will be broadcast live by Awards media partner Radio Kahungunu

The full list of finalists is below. 

All the best to everyone. 

Best Māori Female Solo Artist
1.     Amba Holly
2.     Theia
3.     La Coco
4. JaLeace

Best Māori Male Solo Artist
1.     Tipene          
2.     Israel Starr   
3.     PERE           

Best Traditional Album Te Reo Māori
1.     Te Kākano - Te Kākano
2.     Grove Roots - Waka
3.     Maaka Fiso - Ngaro

Best Māori Pop Album
1.     L.A.B. - L.A.B. II
2.     Te Kākano - Te Kākano
3.     Tipene - Tautoko

Best Māori Urban Rap/Hiphop/RnB Album
1.     Tipene - Tautoko
2.     Grove Roots - Waka
3.     Rugged and Wylde - The King and the Chief

Best Māori Urban Roots Album
1.     Grove Roots - Waka
2.     NLC - Know Your Roots

Best Song by a Māori Artist
1.     Katchafire - Fyah In The Trenches
2.     Te Kākano - Tōrea
3.     L.A.B. - L.A.B. II
4.     RunTingz Family - Runtingz Anthem

Best Māori songwriter
1.     Katchafire
2.     L.A.B.   
3.     Te Kākano  
4.     Amba Holly  

Best Music Video by a Māori Artist
1.     Grove Roots - Aotearoa
2.     L.A.B. - Baby Will You Let Me
3.     Tipene - Nanny's House
4.     La Coco -  Back When
5.     Theia – Candy