Pacific Music Awards


The Pacific Music Awards are an annual New Zealand music award ceremony that honours excellence in Pacific music in New Zealand. The awards honour musicians who primarily work in the Pacific Island style of music from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Tokelau or Tuvalu, and also in urban and gospel genre categories.
The Pacific Music Awards are run by the Pacific Music Awards Committee, which was founded in 2004 with the goal of establishing and running an annual awards for the Pacific music community in New Zealand.

Awards

As of the 2014, 12 awards are given. The Best Pacific Music Album award is part of the annual Recording Industry Association of New Zealand New Zealand Music Awards. Previously called the Polynesian Music Tui award, the award was renamed and the presentation was moved to the Pacific Music Awards in 2005. The Tui trophy is one of three genre awards that are presented at specialist award ceremonies, separate from the main New Zealand Music Awards ceremony, however the winner is also recognised at the main NZMA ceremony later in the year.
The Pacific Music Awards also include the Lifetime Achievement Award, which is given to an individual or group who has made a significant contribution to Pacific music, and the Phillip Fuemana Most Promising Artist Award, which honours an upcoming individual or group.

2005 Pacific Music Awards

The 2005 awards were held on Friday 11 March 2005 as part of the annual Pasifika Festival held in Western Springs, Auckland. Hip hop artist Tha Feelstyle won three of the six contestable awards. The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to producer and community figure Phil Fuemana, who died two weeks before the ceremony.
Winners and nominees

2006 Pacific Music Awards

The 2006 awards were held on Friday 12 May 2006 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau, Auckland. The awards were moved from March to May to coincide with New Zealand Music Month. No longer held as part of the Pasifika festival, the awards venue moved to the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau. The Phillip Fuemana Most Promising Artist Award was added, in honour of the late music producer.
Best Pacific Female Artist AwardBest Pacific Male Artist
Sponsor
  • Annie Puletiuatoa - Childhood
  • *Rosita Vai - Golden
  • *Sara-Jane Auva'a - Rejoice
Sponsored by NZ Music Industry Commission
  • Dei Hamo - First Edition
  • *King Kapisi - Dominant Species
  • *Savage - Moonshine
    • Best Pacific GroupBest Pacific Urban Artist
    Sponsored by Radio 531PI
  • Mt Vaea - Mama
  • *Beatrootz - "No DJz"
  • *Cydel - "Luv Iz"
    • Sponsored by Niu FM
  • Dei Hamo - First Edition
  • *King Kapisi - Dominant Species
  • *Savage - Moonshine
    • APRA Best Pacific SongBest Pacific Music Album — Tui Award
    Sponsor
  • Savage - "Swing"
  • *Beatrootz - "No DJz"
  • *Cydel - "Luv Iz"
    		• Sponsor
  • Mt Vaea Band - Mama
  • *JXN & LavaBoyKila - First off the Blane
  • *Annie Puletiuatoa - Childhood
    • Lifetime Achievement AwardPhillip Fuemana Most Promising Artist Award
    No finalists were announced in this category.
  • Bill Sevesi
    • No finalists were announced in this category.
  • Richard Recalde

    • 2007 Pacific Music Awards

    The 2007 awards were held on Thursday 31 May 2007 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau, Auckland. Boy band Spacifix won three of the six contestable awards.
    Best Pacific Female Artist AwardBest Pacific Male Artist
    Sponsored by Counties Manukau DHB/Smokefree

    • Aaradhna — I Love You
    • *Sara-Jane Auva’a - Merry Christmas
    • *Sara Halatutavaha - Tau Fuata Niue
    Sponsored by NZ Music Industry Commission
  • Chong Nee - "Just Getting By On Love"
  • *JXN - "Fuata Niue"
  • *PNC - Rookie Card
    • Best Pacific GroupBest Pacific Urban Artist
    Sponsored by Radio 531PI
  • Spacifix - Much Love
  • *Ill Semantics - Good Musik
  • *Nesian Mystik - Freshmen
    • Sponsored by Niu FM
  • Chong Nee - Just Getting By On Love
  • *Ill Semantics - Good Musik
  • *PNC - Rookie Card
    • APRA Best Pacific SongBest Pacific Music Album — Tui Award
    Sponsor
  • Spacifix - "Gotta Get Like This"
  • *Aaradhna - "I Love You Too"
  • *Vaniah Toloa - "Tukua"
    		• Sponsor
  • Spacifix - Much Love
  • *Amene - In Your Name We Pray
  • *Vaniah Toloa - Tukua
    • Lifetime Achievement AwardPhillip Fuemana Most Promising Artist Award
    No finalists were announced in this category.
  • The Yandall Sisters
    • No finalists were announced in this category.
  • Vela Manusaute

    • 2008 S3 Pacific Music Awards

    From 2008 to 2010, the awards were known as the S3 Pacific Music Awards, with the Pacific road safety organisation S3 the naming-rights sponsor for three years. The 2008 awards were held on Thursday 29 May 2008 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau. A new People's Choice category was added to the awards, with the public voting on the shortlist of all finalists on the PMA website.

    2009 S3 Pacific Music Awards

    The 2009 S3 Pacific Music Awards were held on Saturday 23 May 2009 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau, Auckland. Pop group Nesian Mystik won the most awards, with four wins. An award for Best Pacific Gospel Album was added to the honours.
    Best Pacific Female Artist AwardBest Pacific Male Artist
    Sponsored by Pacific Blue

    • Ladi6 - Time Is Not Much
    • *Angela Afeaki - Tongan Rendezvous
    • *Iva Lamkum - Iva Lamkum EP
    Sponsored by NZ Music Commission
  • Devolo - Heaven & Hell
  • *Mareko - White Sunday 2: The Book of Mark
  • *Vince Harder - "Strobe Light"
    • Best Pacific GroupBest Pacific Urban Artist
    Sponsored by Radio 531PI
  • Nesian Mystik - Elevator Musiq
  • *Cydel - "There’s a Place"
  • *Horsemen Family - My Shout
    • Sponsored by Niu FM
  • Nesian Mystik - Elevator Musiq
  • *Devolo - Heaven & Hell
  • *Ladi6 - Time Is Not Much
    • APRA Best Pacific SongBest Pacific Music Album — Tui Award
    Sponsor
  • Nesian Mystik - "Nesian 101"

    • *Angela Afeaki - "Happy Happy Tonga"
    • *Ladi6 - "Walk Right Up"
    Sponsored by S³
  • Nesian Mystik - "Elevator Musiq"
  • *Angela Afeaki - "Tongan Rendezvous"
  • *Ladi6 - "Time is Not Much"
    • Best Pacific Gospel AlbumPeople's Choice Best Pacific Artist Award
    Sponsor
  • Oyster Music - The Gospel According to...
  • *St Pauls Methodist Church Otara - 2008 Choir
  • *South Auckland Community Church Band - Set Us Free
    • Sponsored by Manukau City Council
  • South Auckland Community Church Band
  • *Angela Afeaki
  • *Cydel
  • *Devolo
  • *Horsemen Family
  • *Iva Lamkum
  • *Ladi6
  • *Mareko
  • *Nesian Mystik
  • *Oyster Entertainment
  • *St Paul's Methodist Church Otara
  • *Vince Harder
    • Lifetime Achievement AwardPhillip Fuemana Most Promising Artist Award
    Sponsored by Manukau Institute of Technology
  • Tigilau Ness
    • No finalists were announced in this category.
  • Sweet & Irie

    • 2010 S3 Pacific Music Awards

    The 2010 S3 Pacific Music Awards were held on Saturday 29 May 2010 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Auckland. South Auckland group Three Houses Down took out two prizes. The People's Choice Award was not given in 2010 due to "an
    irregularity in the voting which compromised the results." A new prize was introduced for the most Radio Airplay.
    Best Pacific Female Artist AwardBest Pacific Male Artist
    Sponsored by Pacific Blue

    • Erakah - "Wonderful"
    • *Bella Kalolo - "Walk To Change"
    • *MzJ -" That Gurl"
    Sponsored by NZ Music Commission
  • J. Williams - Young Love
  • *Malcolm Lakatani - Quote Unquote
  • *Savage - Savage Island
    • Best Pacific GroupBest Pacific Urban Artist
    Sponsored by Radio 531PI
  • Te Vaka - Haoloto
  • *Smashproof - The Weekend
  • *Three Houses Down - Break Out
    • Sponsored by Niu FM
  • Savage - Savage Island
  • *J. Williams - Young Love
  • *Smashproof - The Weekend
    • APRA Best Pacific SongBest Pacific Music Album — Tui Award
    Sponsor
  • Three Houses Down - "Kanikapila"
  • *Malcolm Lakatani - "Nukututaha"
  • *Te Vaka - "Te Mavaega"
    • Sponsored by S³
  • Three Houses Down - Break Out
  • *Savage - Savage Island
  • *Te Vaka - Haoloto
    • Best Pacific Gospel AlbumRadio Airplay Award
    Sponsored by Manukau City Council
  • Ivoga Green & Niu Ta’ala - Quiet Intensity
  • *Mutalau Ululauta Matahefonua Trust -
    • Taofi Lologo Tolu, Tau Lologo Tapu Tokiofa Mutalau’
    • *Purpose Defined - Called To Battle''
    Sponsored by NZ On Air
    No finalists were announced in this category.

    Lifetime Achievement AwardPhillip Fuemana Most Promising Artist Award
    Sponsored by Manukau Institute of Technology
    No finalists were announced in this category.

    • Ardijah
    No finalists were announced in this category.
  • Luap

    • 2011 Polynesian Blue Pacific Music Awards

    In 2011 the awards were known as the Polynesian Blue Pacific Music Awards after airline Polynesian Blue became the naming rights sponsor. The awards were held on 28 May 2011 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre. A new award for Best Pacific Language was introduced.
    Best Pacific Female Artist AwardBest Pacific Male Artist
    Sponsored by Nautilus Foundation

    • Ladi6 - The Liberation Of...
    • *Bella Kalolo - "What Love Can Do"
    • *Erakah - "In or Out"
    Sponsored by NZ Music Commission
  • Vince Harder - "Say This With Me"
  • *J. Williams - "You Got Me"
  • *Young Sid - What Doesn’t Kill Me
    • Best Pacific GroupBest Pacific Urban Artist
    Sponsored by Radio 531PI
  • Nesian Mystik - 99AD
  • *The Hypnotics - The Hypnotics EP
  • *Pacific Underground - Island Summer
    • Sponsored by Niu FM
  • Ladi6 - The Liberation Of...
  • *Nesian Mystik - 99AD
  • *Vince Harder - "Say This With Me"
    • APRA Best Pacific SongBest Pacific Music Album — Tui Award
    Sponsor
  • Nesian Mystik - "Sun Goes Down"

    • *Adeaze - "Got My Girl For Life"
    • *Tha Feelstyle - "Sometimes When It Rains"
    Sponsored by Polynesian Blue

    • Nesian Mystik - 99AD
    • *Ladi6 - The Liberation Of...
    • *Pacific Underground - Island Summer
    Best Pacific Gospel AlbumRadio Airplay Award
    Sponsor
  • Mutalau Ululauta Matahefonua Trust Choir -
    • Lologo Tapu Tokiofa Mutalau - Niue. Taofi Lologo 4
    • *Harbourside & Various Artists - A Very Kiwi Christmas
    • *JMA Productions & Various Artists - Reflections of the Soul
    		Sponsor
    No finalists were announced in this category.

    • J. Williams feat Scribe for "You Got Me"
    Best Pacific LanguagePeoples Choice Best Pacific Artist Award
    Sponsored by Tagata Pasifika
  • Koile - "Te Hua"
  • *Pacific Underground - Island Summer
  • *Taura Mani - I Runga Taua
    • Sponsored by Auckland Council
  • Nesian Mystik
  • *Adeaze
  • *Bella Kalolo
  • *Erakah
  • *Harbourside & Various Artists
  • *The Hypnotics
  • *J. Williams
  • *JMA Productions & Various Artists
  • *Koile
  • *Ladi6
  • *Mutalau Ululauta Matahefonua Trust Choir
  • *Pacific Underground
  • *Taura Mani
  • *Tha Feelstyle
  • *Vince Harder
  • *Young Sid
    • Lifetime Achievement AwardPhillip Fuemana Most Promising Artist Award
    Sponsored by Manukau Institute of Technology
    No finalists were announced in this category.

    • Annie Crummer
    No finalists were announced in this category.
  • Grace Ikenasio

    • 2012 Pacific Music Awards

    The 2012 awards were held on 31 May 2012 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Auckland. Auckland R&B duo Adeaze won three awards. The 2012 awards did not have a naming-rights sponsor. The Radio Airplay Award category was dropped from the awards.

    2013 Pasefika Proud Pacific Music Awards

    The 2013 awards were held on 30 May 2013 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Auckland. From 2013 the awards are known as the Pasefika Proud Pacific Music Awards, with the government-run Family & Community Services community support programme Pasefika Proud the new naming-rights sponsor. The Best Pacific Gospel Album was dropped from the 2013 awards, the Radio Airplay Award category was added back, and new category Best Pacific Music Video was added. The theme for the year's awards is "honouring Pacific women". The awards were dominated by Aaradhna, who won six awards.
    Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface.
    Best Pacific Female Artist AwardBest Pacific Male Artist
    Sponsored by Nautilus Foundation

    • Aaradhna - Treble & Reverb
    • *Iva Lamkum - Black Eagle
    • *Ria - The One
    Sponsored by NZ Music Commission
  • Swiss - Slow Wind
  • *Savage - Mayhem & Miracles
  • *Vaniah Toloa - Tofi O Tamatane
    • Best Pacific GroupBest Pacific Urban Artist
    Sponsored by Radio 531PI
  • Tomorrow People - One
  • *Home Brew - Home Brew
  • *The Hypnotics - Give It Time
    • Sponsored by Niu FM
  • Aaradhna - Treble & Reverb
  • *Iva Lamkum - Black Eagle
  • *Swiss - Slow Wind
    • APRA Best Pacific SongBest Pacific Music Album — Tui Award
    Sponsor
  • Aaradhna - Wake Up
  • *Iva Lamkum - Doo Bop
  • *Swiss - Slow Wind
    • Sponsored by Pasefika Proud
  • Aaradhna - Treble & Reverb
  • *Home Brew - Home Brew
  • *Tomorrow People - One
    • Best Pacific LanguageBest Pacific Music Video
    Sponsored by Tagata Pasifika
  • Vaniah Toloa - Tofi O Tamatane
  • *Mangere Congregational Church of Jesus - Ia Outou Vivi'I
  • *Mr Tanoa - My Sweat & Tears
    • Sponsored by NZ On Air
  • Aaradhna - Lorena Bobbitt
  • *Iva Lamkum - Doo Bop
  • *Vince Harder - Far From Here
    • Radio Airplay AwardPeoples Choice Best Pacific Artist Award
    Sponsored by NZ On Air
    1. Aaradhna - "Wake Up"
    2. Brooke Fraser "Something in the Water"
    3. Swiss "Slow Wind"
    4. Deach feat. Jae'O "Slow It Down"
    5. Donell Lewis feat. Fortafy "Missing My Love"
    Sponsored by Auckland Council
    • Swiss - Slow Wind
    • *Aaradhna - Treble & Reverb
    • *Home Brew - Home Brew
    • *Iva Lamkum - Black Eagle
    • *Mangere Congregational Church of Jesus - Ia Outou Vivi'I
    • *Mr Tanoa - My Sweat & Tears
    • *Ria - The One
    • *Savage - Mayhem & Miracles
    • *The Hypnotics - Give It Time
    • *Tomorrow People - One
    • *Vaniah Toloa - Tofi O Tamatane
    • *Vince Harder - Far From Here
    Lifetime Achievement AwardPhillip Fuemana Most Promising Artist Award
    No finalists were announced in this category.
  • Mavis Rivers
    • No finalists were announced in this category.
  • Cilla

    • 2014 Vodafone Pacific Music Awards

    The 2014 awards were held on Thursday 8 May 2014 at the Vodafone Events Centre in Auckland. The awards were known as the Vodafone Pacific Music Awards, with Vodafone New Zealand as the new naming-rights sponsor. The Radio Airplay award was again dropped from the 2014 awards, and the new category Best International Pacific Artist was added. The event celebrated the 10th anniversary of the awards.
    Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface.
    Best Pacific Female Artist AwardBest Pacific Male Artist
    Sponsored by Trillian Trust

    • Bella Kalolo - Time and Space
    • * Ladi6 - Automatic
    • * MzJ - You Make Me Smile
    Sponsored by NZ Music Commission
  • David Dallas - Falling Into Place
  • * Mark Vanilau - Dark Horizon
  • * Swiss - Lucky Man
    • Best Pacific GroupBest Pacific Urban Artist
    Sponsored by Radio 531PI
  • Sole Mio - Sol3 Mio
  • * BrownHill - First Love
  • * Tomorrow People - One.5
    • Sponsored by Niu FM
  • David Dallas - Runnin'
  • * King Kapisi - "Crush"
  • * Ladi6 - "Ikarus"
    • Best Pacific SongBest Pacific Music Album — Tui Award
    Sponsored by APRA
  • Mark Vanilau - "Giant of the Sea"
  • * David Dallas - Runnin'
  • * Ladi6 - "Ikarus"
    • Sponsored by Auckland Council
  • Sole Mio - Sol3 Mio
  • * David Dallas - Falling Into Place
  • * Ladi6 - Automatic
    • Best Pacific LanguageBest Pacific Music Video
    Sponsored by Tagata Pasifika
  • Kelemete & Kiligi Ta’ale - Penina Lalelei o Samoa
  • * Fiafia Band - "Pepelo"
  • * YFC Alumni NZ Choir - "Amuia le Tagata"
    • Sponsored by NZ On Air
  • King Kapisi - "Crush"
  • * David Dallas - Runnin'
  • * Ladi6 - "Ikarus"
    • Best International Pacific Artist AwardPeoples Choice Best Pacific Artist Award
    Sponsored by Flava
  • Fiji Born & Raised II - "The ReBirth"
  • * Kalaga'la - "Aimons Nous"
  • * Spawnbreezie - "Perfect"
    • Sponsored by Vodafone NZ
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifetime Achievement AwardPhillip Fuemana Most Promising Artist Award
    Sponsored by Manukau Institute of Technology
    No finalists were announced in this category.

    • Che Fu
    No finalists were announced in this category.
  • Musical Island Boys

    • 2015 Vodafone Pacific Music Awards

    The 2015 awards were held on Saturday 13 June at the Vodafone Events Centre. Auckland duo Cydel won three awards and rap trio Smashproof won two awards. The Radio Airplay Award was brought back and a Special Recognition Award was presented to popera trio Sole Mio.
    Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface.
    Best Pacific Female Artist AwardBest Pacific Male Artist
    Sponsored by Virgin Australia

    • Erakah - Organised Chaos
    • * Lole Usoalii-Hickey - "Get Over"
    • * Mz J - "Sparkle"
    Sponsored by NZ Music Commission
  • TJ Taotua - Magnified
  • * K.One - "I Wanna Tell You"
  • * King Kapisi - "Welcome Back"
    • Best Pacific GroupBest Pacific Urban Artist
    Sponsored by Radio 531PI
  • Cydel - Memoirs of a Midnight Cowboy
  • * Three Houses Down - "On My Heart"
  • * Tomorrow People - "Again & Again"
    • Sponsored by Niu FM
  • Cydel - Memoirs of a Midnight Cowboy
  • * Sid Diamond - "Speakers Blown"
  • * Team Dynamite - Shepherds Delight
    • Best Pacific SongBest Pacific Music Album — Tui Award
    Sponsored by APRA
  • Smashproof - "Survivors"
  • * Andrew Faleatua - "Samoa Forever"
  • * Cydel - "I Love You"
  • * Team Dynamite - "Coconut Lime"
    • Sponsored by Recorded Music NZ
  • Cydel - Memoirs of a Midnight Cowboy
  • * Team Dynamite - Shepherds Delight
  • * Fiafia Band - Siva Siva Maia
    • Best Pacific LanguageBest Pacific Music Video
    Sponsored by Tagata Pasifika
  • Word of Life South Auckland Choir - "Toele I La'u auaunaga"
  • * Aumua Toafa Ai'i Te'o - "It’s my turn - O lo'u taimi"
  • * Fiafia Band - "Siva Siva Maia"
    • Sponsored by NZ On Air
  • Smashproof - "Survivors"
  • * Coco Solid - "Heaven's Gate"
  • * Team Dynamite - "Coconut Lime"
    • Best International Pacific Artist AwardPeoples Choice Best Pacific Artist Award
    Sponsored by Flava
  • Maryanne Ito - "Waking Up"
  • * Common Kings - "Before You Go"
  • * Mahi - "Kissing You"
    • Sponsored by Vodafone NZ
  • Three Houses Down - "On My Heart"
  • * Andrew Faleatua - "Samoa Forever"
  • * Aumua Toafa Ai'i Te'o - "Its my turn - O lo'u taimi"
  • * Coco Solid - "Heaven"s Gate"
  • * Common Kings - "Before You Go"
  • * Cydel - "Memoirs of a Midnight Cowboy"/"I Love You"
  • * Erakah - "Organised Chaos"
  • * Fiafia Band - "Siva Siva Maia"
  • * K.One - "I Wanna Tell You"
  • * King Kapisi - "Welcome Back"
  • * Lifestyle - "Your Will Be Done"
  • * Lole Usoalii-Hickey - "Get Over"
  • * Mahi - "Kissing You"
  • * Maryanne Ito - "Waking Up"
  • * Mz J - "Sparkle"
  • * Sid Diamond - "Speakers Blown"
  • * Smashproof - "Survivors"
  • * Team Dynamite - "Shepherds Delight"/"Coconut Lime"
  • * TJ Taotua - "Magnified"
  • * Tomorrow People - "Again & Again"
  • * Word of Life South Auckland Choir - "Toele I La'u auaunaga"
    • Lifetime Achievement AwardPhillip Fuemana Most Promising Artist Award
    Sponsored by Manukau Institute of Technology
    No finalists were announced in this category.

    • Herbs
    No finalists were announced in this category.
  • Donell Lewis
    • Special Recognition AwardRadio Airplay Award
    No finalists were announced in this category.

    • Sole Mio
    Sponsored by NZ On Air
    No finalists were announced in this category.

    2016 Vodafone Pacific Music Awards

    The 2016 awards were held on Thursday 9 June at the Vodafone Events Centre. The theme for 2016 was "Don't forget your history, nor your destiny". R&B singer Vince Harder won three awards, and Pacific performance group Te Vaka won two. The Best Pacific Gospel Artist category was awarded for the first time since 2012, and new category Best Producer was added to the awards.
    Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface.