Gisborne's Amy Maynard in full voice during the New Zealand Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year finals in Tauranga. Maynard won the Senior section. Photo / Tracy McAra
Gisborne's Amy Maynard in full voice during the New Zealand Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year finals in Tauranga. Maynard won the Senior section. Photo / Tracy McAra
Gisborne-born-and-raised songstress Amy Maynard was overwhelmed at winning the Senior section of the New Zealand Country Music Association (NZCMA) Entertainer of the Year awards in Tauranga last weekend.
“Winning the Entertainer of the Year award on the day that would’ve been my late stepfather Shane’s 60th birthday was truly overwhelming,”the singer, now based in Hamilton, said.
“And having my whānau out there in the audience, and knowing that I had my nana, my mum, my daughter, my aunty, my partner and our club members there with me in solidarity was so encouraging.
“I value their support and their awhi more than winning the actual award itself.”
Maynard sang Where Your Road Leads, written by Victoria Shaw and recorded by country music stars Trish Yearwood and Garth Brooks, followed by the worship song Lord, I Offer My Life, by Don Moen.
It was the third time she had entered the competition as a senior. She also competed in the intermediate category when she was 13.
Country music singer Amy Maynard was elated after her win at the Entertainer of the Year finals. It came on the day that would have been her late stepfather's 60th birthday, she said. Photo / Tracy McAra
“The closest I have actually come to winning it was back in 2023 when I placed second with a group performance with my mum and sister.”
Another member of Gisborne Country Music Club, Amarah Cameron, 13, was runner-up in the Junior category of Entertainer of the Year.
Charmaine Puriri won the Veteran award. She now lives in Hastings but remains part of Gisborne Country Music Club.
Club president Flo Pahuru said the competition was very tight.
“I thought I’d picked the winners but changed my mind several times as there were so many great singers and songs.”
The four category winners performing Keith Urban's Love Somebody Like You at the New Zealand Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year finals. From left, Sophie Toyne, Amy Maynard, Charmaine Puriri and Georgia Martin. Photo / Tracy McAra
Finalists from the eight regional competitions took part in the Entertainer of the Year held at Tauranga’s Baycourt Community and Arts Centre last weekend.
“Each regional competition has between 100 and 300 contestants, so being named in the top is a big deal at the award level,” said NZCMA president Lesley Niania, also of Gisborne.
The calibre of the singers was incredibly high, and there was often only half a point between the winners decided by five judges, she said.
Competitors performed their first songs at a matinee show and their second songs at the evening show.
Guest artists The Harmonic Resonators kept the audience entertained while scrutineers tallied up the points.
After the winners of the four categories were announced, they joined together to sing a finale number: Keith Urban’s Love Somebody Like You.
Last year, Maynard won the most coveted prize in New Zealand country music - the overall prize at the NZ Gold Guitar Awards in Gore.
Gisborne teenager Amarah Cameron was runner-up in the Junior category of the New Zealand Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year finals. Photo / Tracy McAra
Entertainer of the Year 2025 results
Senior: Amy Maynard (Hamilton/Gisborne) from Keily Lawrence (Invercargill).
Intermediate: Sophie Toyne (Whanganui) from Maddison Connor (Nelson).
Junior: Georgia Martin (Riversdale) from Amarah Cameron (Gisborne).
Veteran: Charmaine Puriri (Gisborne) from Richard Cook (Tokoroa).
Songwriter of the Year: Jacinta Kerepeti (Invercargill).
