Maori singer Keala Settle's 'glorious' Oscars moment

Keala Settle performs This Is Me at the Oscars. Photo / AP

Maori singer Keala Settle had one of the stand-out moments of the Oscars, when she performed the hit song This Is Me for Hollywood's finest, fighting back tears as she sang.

The song was inspired by Settle's personal story of fighting for acceptance and was written by Justin Paul and Benji Pasek for The Greatest Showman.

Chills all over my body @kealasettle #Oscars pic.twitter.com/esqnZ28hY4

— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) March 5, 2018

It was nominated for best original song, but lost out to Remember Me from the animated film Coco. Still, many took to social media to praise Settle's talent, with The Greatest Showman stars Zac Efron and Zendaya saying she "killed it" and was "glorious".

I have no words. @kealasettle you were glorious ❤️. #thisisme #oscars

— Zac Efron (@ZacEfron) March 5, 2018

I have sang out, screamed out and done full choreo from the wings...I'm so proud of you @kealasettle YOU KILLED THAT!!!!!!!!!!

— Zendaya (@Zendaya) March 5, 2018

She wasn't the only one representing for New Zealand at the Oscars though.

Kiwi screenwriter Anthony McCarten was nominated for best picture for the Winston Churchill biopic Darkest Hour, which he both produced and wrote the screenplay for. Gary Oldman won best actor for his performance in the film, and thanked McCarten in his acceptance speech.

New Zealand special effects company Weta Workshop was also nominated, getting nods in the best visual effects category for both War of the Planet of the Apes and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. That award went to Blade Runner 2049, which Weta also contributed miniatures, selected cinematography, and concept design work to.