THREE GONGS: Rob Ruha, writer and singer of Tiki Tapu, snared three awards. PHOTOS/WARREN BUCKLAND HBT1426917
Australian-born Stan Walker has claimed the Waiata Maori Music Awards Record of the Year title for a fourth time.
The 2009 Australian Idol winner, now just 23, previously won the Waiata Maori Award in 2010, 2011 and last year when the awards celebrated his biggest hit, Take It Easy.
The
seventh annual awards were presented last night before an audience of about 500 at the Hastings Sports Stadium.
The biggest winner of all last night was Rob Ruha, who picked up three of the 11 awards. He was named Best Solo Male Artist and Best Songwriter, and his Tiki Tapu Best Song.
Wellington mum Maika, who put a career in law and education on the backburner to start a music career in 2005, was a first-time nominee, at the age of 40, and was named Best Female Solo Artist.
