FINALIST: Troy Kingi won last year's Best Maori Male Solo Artist Award and is a finalist in five categories this year.
A mix of previous winners and new faces make up this year's Waiata Maori Music Awards finalists, with previous winners Troy Kingi, Stan Walker, L.A.B, and Tipene Harmer securing nominations in multiple categories.
Rapper Vayne sees her first nomination for Best Maori Hip Hop Album, as well as soul and
RnB powerhouse Hawkins, who is nominated for Best Single by a Maori Artist.
The Waiata Maori Music Awards were launched in 2007 and celebrate the achievements of outstanding traditional and contemporary music by Maori artists.
Taking place annually in September in the beautiful Hawke's Bay, the awards incorporate four major events over two days, including the Maori Music Expo, Te Kohanga Maori Fashion Show, the Maori Music Celebrity Breakfast, and the Waiata Maori Music Awards ceremony. — RNZ
