AND THE FINALISTS ARE . . .

up for nz music awards: Tairāwhiti musician Rob Ruha (left) is a finalist in six categories in the Aotearoa Music Awards. Rising Gisborne punk band Sit Down In Front (above) are finalists in the Best Rock Artist category. SDIF are (from left) Corey Newman, Jackson Clarke and Rikki Noble. Under the guidance of Ruha, rangatahi choir group Ka Hao are finalists in five categories. Ruha picture by Adrian Malloch; SDIF picture by Strike Photography

Three Tairāwhiti acts — Rob Ruha, punk band Sit Down In Front and rangatahi choir Ka Hao — are finalists in the Aotearoa Music Awards (AMA)|Nga Tohu Puoro o Aotearoa announced overnight.

Ruha, with six nominations, has emerged as the frontrunner at the awards.

He is a finalist for Album of the Year for his third album Preservation of Scenery; Single of the Year for That's Where I'll Be; Best Solo Artist, Best Māori Artist, Best Soul/RnB Artist and Te Māngai Paho Mana Reo Award.

Sit Down in Front — made up of frontman Cory Newman, guitarist Jackson Clarke and drummer Rikki Noble — are finalists for Best Rock Artist for their critically acclaimed EP Fuelling My Rage.

The other finalists are Shihad and Alien Weaponry.

Band manager Carl Newman said the band members were “pretty happy” with their first AMA nomination.

“It is an honour to have your name up next to the likes of Shihad and Alien Weaponry.”

It was a highlight of a successful year to date which saw the band release their first EP.

Mr Newman said a “big thank you” was needed to all the community for their support and the efforts and belief of producer Greg Haver, who took a chance on the band back when the members were just 16 years old.

Under Ruha's mentorship, tira waiata Ka Hao are finalists for five “Tūī” award trophies — Single of the Year and Te Māngai Paho Mana Reo Award for the hit song 35 (featuring Rob Ruha) as well as Best Group, Best Roots Artist and Best Māori Artist for their debut album Ka Hao: One Tira, One Voice.

The winners are to be announced on November 10.