'I never really thought of music as a pathway': Māori Music Awards rate Hawke's Bay pair as emerging artists

Teia Kennedy and Sam Love will be given the Emerging Artist Awards at the National Waiata Māori Music Awards on Friday. Photo / File

Two Hawke's Bay-born musicians will be given a helping hand in their careers when they are honoured at the National Waiata Māori Music Awards.

Teia Kennedy and Sam Love, both Ngāti Kahungunu, will be given the Emerging Artist Awards at the National Waiata Māori Music Awards on Friday.

The award aims to recognise Māori artists with promising music careers and affords them a chance to work alongside the awards ambassadors, to learn and further their skills.

Sam Love, known as SIIAM, is the winner of the over 25 category of the Emerging Artist Award. Photo / Supplied

Sam Love, known as SIIAM, and is the winner of the over 25 category.

The 31-year-old grew up in Maraenui, Napier, before spending his teen years in Flaxmere, Hastings.

SIAAM said completing a three-year bachelor of creative practice music at EIT helped him perfect his craft.

"I never really thought of music as a pathway until around 2010. I moved to Wellington and the city has a great arts and music culture," he said.

"I enjoyed seeing how people expressed themselves through music and it helped me find my own pathway in life."

The singer-songwriter said he hoped the award would create opportunities for himself in the near future.

Teia Kennedy, 23, has won the under 25 Emerging Artist Award category. Photo / Supplied

Teia Kennedy, the winner of the under-25 Emerging Artist Award, has previously been a finalist in the category in both 2018 and 2019.

The 23-year-old said meeting like-minded creatives who have paved the way for herself and others will be rewarding.

"Music is a gift that we can nurture, grow, share and develop to create something very special," she said.

"I'm truly grateful to have the opportunity to help teach others to express their passion for music, learn the relevant skills and build confidence in their performance."

Born in Wairoa, Kennedy went on to complete a bachelor of musical arts at the Music and Audio Institute of NZ in Auckland, where she recorded her EP, Stranger Tides.

After the completion of her degree, Kennedy went on an international tour, based in Tokyo, Japan.

She is now a full-time music teacher in Auckland.

The awards, which have taken place in Hawke's Bay since 2008, will be held virtually at 7pm on October 9.