Flock of Tuis for top stars

Rock and electronic act collects six awards while Kimbra makes her predicted sweep.

She may have been the red hot favourite to win at the New Zealand Music Awards last night but Kiwi songbird Kimbra didn't get it all her own way.

The Melbourne-based singer-songwriter won five awards, including the album of the year for her debut, Vows, but rootsy rock and electronic act Six60 won six Tuis overall.

The Auckland band also confirmed their widespread popularity, winning the People's Choice Award ahead of Kimbra, Gin Wigmore, Home Brew and Stan Walker.

Six60's main awards included best group and best single.

Their awards tally was boosted by winning the highest selling NZ single and the radio airplay award for the song Don't Forget Your Roots.

Kimbra, who shot to fame with her duet with Australian Gotye on Somebody That I Used to Know last year, also took best female solo artist, breakthrough artist, and best pop album.

She also won the International Achievement award for Vows which sold more than 70,000 copies in Australia and debuted at No. 14 on the US Billboard chart.

The Naked and Famous - big winners at last year's awards - also got an International Achievement nod following the worldwide release of their debut album Passive Me, Aggressive You.

Other winners included the Nielson brothers, formerly of the Mint Chicks, with Ruban's Unknown Mortal Orchestra winning best solo male artist for his self-titled debut and Kody picking up best alternative album for Opossom's Electric Hawaii.

Hip-hop crew Home Brew, who went into the awards with five nominations, could feel hard done by, winning only best urban/hip-hop album.

The best rock album award had a sentimental touch - it went to the Checks, who split up in September after 10 years, for their third album Deadly Summer Sway.

The night featured performances from many of the winners with a finale by up-and-coming bands Rackets, Street Chant and Tiny Ruins performing a tribute to Herald Legacy Award winners Toy Love.

The winners

Album of year: Kimbra - Vows
Single of year: Six60 - Don't Forget Your Roots
Best group: Six60
Best male artist: Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Best female artist: Kimbra
Breakthrough: Kimbra
Best music video: The Sun - The Naked and Famous (created by Special Problems)
Best rock album: The Checks - Deadly Summer Sway
Best pop album: Kimbra - Vows
Best alternative album: Opossom - Electric Hawaii
Best urban/hip hop album: Home Brew - Home Brew
Best roots album: The Black Seeds - Dust And Dirt
Best electronica album: Concord Dawn - Air Chrysalis
Best Maori album: Ria Hall - Ria Hall
Best gospel/Christian album: Parachute Band - Matins: Vespers
Best classical album: Christopher Blake - Angel at Ahipara
People's choice award: Six60
Legacy Award: Toy Love
International achievement: Kimbra and The Naked and Famous.