In a nod to making peace after his brush with the law, music legend Tiki Taane will be supported by police when he takes to the stage at New Zealand's music awards tonight.
In April the Papamoa singer was arrested for disorderly behaviour for singing a song that was derogatory
to police at a gig at Tauranga's Illuminati nightclub.
The star said he was singing lyrics from a song by American rap group NWA and charges were dropped in September after mediation.
Mr Taane extended a peace offering to Tauranga police last month by inviting them to join him onstage at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards at Auckland's Vector Arena tonight to perform his single Freedom To Sing.
"Unfortunately they declined in the end, but through that there was another police outfit that jumped at the chance. I've got the support of the police - that's all I can say," he told Newstalk ZB today.
He has been nominated for Best Male Solo Artist, alongside Stan Walker and David Dallas, Best Electronica Album and Best Maori Album.
But he was trying to keep his hopes in check about a possible win.
"To be acknowledged by your musical peers is awesome. It's a mixed bag of emotions. I don't want to get too excited about it in case nothing happens," he told the radio station.
Kiwi music stars including Brooke Fraser, Julia Deans and The Naked and Famous feature among the nominations across the 25 categories.
