Nineteen awards were handed out at the glittering National Waiata Maori Music Awards on Friday.
It was the fifth year the awards had been held in Hawke's Bay. The ceremony was opened by Hawke's Bay's Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre with a performance that depicted the journey of people from the Pacific to New Zealand.
Some of the country's best Maori performers appeared as guest artists, including former award winners Tiki Taane, Anna Coddington, reggae band 1814 and Sid Diamond.
The awards ambassador, Taisha Tari, who grew up in Napier, joined with Hawke's Bay opera singer William Winitana to perform.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.