The band that pioneered the unique "polyfonk" sound in the 1980s had people in the front row of the Hawke's Bay Opera House theatre on their feet dancing when it turned out two of its best hits last night.
Ardijah was one of the guest performers at the fourth annual National Waiata Maori Music Awards and showed why it was also a winner in the awards' nominated section giving up a polished performance of its rendition of Silly Love Songs and its 1988 top 10 hit, Watch' U.
The band, led by Ryan and Betty-Anne Monga, was presented a Maori Music Industry Award in recognition of its contribution to music since the late 1970s.
The awards ceremony had earlier started with a spectacular performance headed by Hastings' Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre in a number especially choreographed by executive director Tama Huata.
It featured classical violinist "Elena", who grew up in Mahia, and 17-year-old electric guitarist Jeremiah Peipi, from Wanganui who is a 2010 Smokefreerockquest champion.
Singer Tiki Taane claimed three of four award categories he was a finalist in, including Best Maori Songwriter, Best Male Solo Artist and was judged to have Best Maori Song (Starship Lullaby).
For the first time in the awards' four-year history, two winners were announced in the Best Maori Female Solo Artist Award category as judges could not produce a clear winner.
The award went to Auckland-based pop singer Anna Coddington, a finalist in 2009, and Mina Ripia, who heads the band Wai which performs "electronica roots world music" in Te Reo Maori.
The presenter mistakenly announced Coddington wasn't able to attend but a loud correction was made as the new award winner ran down towards the stage shouting, "No, I'm here, I'm here".
"This is the most laughs I've ever had at an awards ceremony and it is the first award I have received since I have been releasing my own albums," Coddington said to the audience as she received her award.
Guest performer Anika Moa proved a handful when she ignored her "one song only" allocation and remained on stage to perform a second.
Frankie Stevens' work as a performer and singer for over 40 years was also recognised with a Music Industry Award last night.
He celebrated by performing a duet with the Waiata Maori Music Awards ambassador, Taisha Tari.
And it was Tari and singer Maisey Rika, both former Hawke's Bay people, who had the last say of the awards ceremony, performing the new song, Release The Light, which will be launched into the music charts.
The song was written earlier this year and recorded in Auckland recently including the voices of more than 30 Maori singers.
"What we want to do now is get this song out there for people to hear and enjoy, to make sure it goes to the top of the charts," Mr Huata said.
He already had plans to make next year's Maori Music Awards a special occasion.
"We're always trying to make it better each year and it's going to be the 5th annual awards next year so we want to mark that milestone."
The awards show will be screened on Maori Television at a later date.