Who won what at the 2025 Pacific Music Awards

South Auckland musician Shane Walker has bagged a double at the Pacific Music Awards, taking home awards for best Pacific male artist and best Pacific song for 'Believe'.

Walker (Tainui, Ngāti Mahanga, Ngāti Whātua) blends reggae, roots, and gospel, with influences from Cook Islands and te reo Māori in his music.

In 2024 he rose up in New Zealand with the success of his summer hit 'Coasty Girl' - which he told Te Ao News at the time was about East Coast wāhine.

“Music for me it is a remedy, but it also is like my life’s work and like a diary. [It] it will create memories and leave a legacy for my kids [and] grandkids," he told Te Ao News.

He won the People’s Choice Award for best Pacific artist at last year's awards.

This year, Walker was also nominated for best Pacific roots/reggae artist - which was won by Lomez Brown - and best gospel artist - which was taken out by Brotherhood Musiq.

Aaradhna, who was leading the finalist nominations with four alongside Walker, was named best Pacific female artist.

The soul/R&B singer, who is of Indian and Samoan heritage, was named best soul/RnB artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards in May and dominated at last year's Pacific Music Awards.

The best Pacific soul/R&B artist award went to Sam V and the best Pacific music video was awarded to Tha Movement for ’The Lecture’, directed by Samson Rambo.

The best Pacific group prize was given to A.R.T, best Pacific hip hop artist was Kenzie from Welly and Jordyn with a Why was named Te Tino Pukaemi Moana Nui a Kiwa o e Tau | Best Pacific Music Album for Hibiscus Moon, Love & Justice.

Opetaia Foa’i, one of the South Pacific’s most influential cultural and musical ambassadors, was presented with the Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tāmaki Makarau event on Thursday night. Fo'ai also took home the award for best Pacific language.

Best Pacific Female Artist: Aaradhna - Sweet Surrender

Best Pacific Male Artist: Shane Walker- ‘Coasty Girl’, ‘Maori in Me’, ‘Iesu’, ‘Let Me Be Your Man’, ‘The Lord is Watching You’, ‘Believe’

Best Pacific Group: A.R.T - ‘When He Was Mine (Pele Fo'i Mai)’, ‘Easy’

Best Pacific Language: Opetaia Foa'i & Moana 2 Artists - ‘Tulou Tagaloa (Sei e Va’ai Mai)’, ‘My Wish For You (Innocent Warrior), ‘Finding the Way’, ‘Mana Vavau’, ‘We’re Back (Te Vaka version), ‘Nuku O Kaiga’

Best Pacific Gospel Artist: Brotherhood Musiq - 'Open The Eyes of My Heart'

Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist: Kenzie from Welly - ‘Hold Ya Head’, ‘Queendom’

Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist: Sam V - ‘90's Fine’, ‘Rolling Your Eyes’

Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist: Lomez Brown - UNDER-RATED

Best Pacific Music Video: Tha Movement - ’The Lecture’, director Samson Rambo

Best Producer: Astro, EDYONTHEBEAT, Sam V - ‘90's Fine’, ‘Rolling Your Eyes’, Sam V

Best Pacific Song: Shane Walker ‘Believe’

Best International Pacific Artist: The 046 - ‘Music is Everything’, ‘Lifetime’, ‘Young Free & Reckless’, ‘Hustle Hard’ ‘All In’

Best Pacific Music Album: Jordyn with a Why - Hibiscus Moon, Love & Justice