Aaradhna earlier this year. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Aaradhna dominated the Pacific Music Awards this year, taking out three categories at the Due Drop Event Centre in Auckland's Manukau.
The awards on Thursday night marked two decades of celebrating Pacific music in Aotearoa, recognising not just the artists but also their families, communities and nations, Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Reverend Mua Strickson-Pua said.
"We have not forgotten who we are and where we come from, mindful of the connections from our rich past and bonds of Alofa Aroha to the next Tupulaga, next generation."
Aaradhna won Best Pacific Female Artist, while her track 'She' won the Best Pacific Song Award. The song also won the Best Pacific Music Video award.
The awards follow the Wellington-based artist's win at the Aotearoa Music Awards in May, where she took home the Best Soul/RnB Artist award and 'She' was named Best Video Content winner.
Aaron Strickland won the Arch Angel Independent Music Award for 'Astro'. Photo: Stijl / James Ensing-Trussell
Aaradhna was in India and was not present at the awards, but sent a video message to her fans.
"God is good, my mum always reminded me of that," she said.
"I want to thank my family for being my rock, for keeping me grounded, always reminding me why I started, my solid listeners, my day ones ... I'm not able to do this without you.
"To do this for 20-plus years, I'm very grateful."
Diggy Dupé was named Best Pacific Male Artist. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
Diggy Dupé was named Best Pacific Male Artist and Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist, both for his work on 'We The City'.
Heavy metal group Shepherds Reign won Best Pacific Language award and Best Pacific Music Album for Ala Mai.
"We're all born and bred in South Auckland, we know metal isn't everyone's cup of tea ... we all really love metal and we found each other, and from there we just formed an unbreakable bond," they said.
SWIDT won Best Pacific Group, while Signature Choir won Best Pacific Gospel Artist award for their album Mana Moana.
Sam V was named Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist for the third consecutive year, this time with his album You Left Your Things Here.
Unity Pacific's song 'Integrity' earned them Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist while hitmaker Josh Tatofi won Best International Pacific Artist.
Teremoana Rapley received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her more than three decades of music making.
Sam V was named Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist for the third consecutive year. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
Complete list of Pacific Music Awards 2024 winners
- Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist: Aaradhna for 'She'
- NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist: Diggy Dupé for 'We The City'
- Flava Best Pacific Group: SWIDT for 'Youphoria feat High Hoops', 'Burn One feat. Stallyano', 'Hocus Pocus', 'Not 4 Sale'
- 531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist: Signature Choir Mana Moana
- Matai Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist: Diggy Dupé for 'We The City'
- Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist: Sam V for You Left Your Things Here
- Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist: Unity Pacific for 'Integrity'
- Niu FM Best International Pacific Artist: Josh Tatofi for 'Ouana', 'Why Worry', 'Storms Never Last', 'Fakateretere', 'I Jus Want Ya', 'I'm Gonna Love You', 'Tears On My Pillow'
- MPGNZ / SAE Creative Media Institute Best Producer: Haz Beats for Brunette EP (Haz & Miloux), 'Run It Back' (Home Brew)
- NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video: Aaradhna for 'She', Director: Anahera Parata
- APRA Best Pacific Song: Aaradhna for 'She', Writer: Aaradhna Patel
- SunPix Best Pacific Language: Shepherds Reign for Ala Mai
- Recorded Music NZ Te Tino Pukaemi Moana Nui A Kiwa o Te Tau | Best Pacific Music Album: Shepherds Reign for Ala Mai
- SunPix People's Choice Award - Best Pacific Artist: Shane Walker
- NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award: Jordan Gavet for 'He Said'
- NZ On Air Streaming Award: Savage feat. Aaradhna for 'They Don't Know'
- Phillip Fuemana Award - Most Promising Pacific Artist: MITI
- Creative New Zealand Award: Noa Records
- Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award: Teremoana Rapley
- Arch Angel Independent Music Award: Aaron Strickland - Astro
Read RNZ's live coverage of the night here.
MITI with their award for Most Promising Pacific Artist. Photo: Stijl / James Ensing-Trussell
