Te Kākono, a group of young Māori artists who created the Te Reo compilation album ‘Te Kākono’, were major league winners at the 2019 Waiata Māori Music Awards, staged in Hastings on Friday, September 13.

In front of an audience of stars from the world of Māori music, Te Kākono claimed the prizes for Best Māori Traditional Album (Te Reo Māori), Best Maori Pop Artists and Best Song by a Māori Artist, for Tōrea.

 
The winning song, Tōrea, was written by group member Pere, who also won Best Māori Male Solo Artist in his first venture as a solo artist.

Amba Holly was another multi-winner, the Waikato-Tainui musician given the Best Māori Female Solo Artist award for the third time, and also taking home the Best Māori Songwriter award. 

The award for Best Māori Urban Artist went to Tipene for his album ‘Tautoko’, while the Best Roots Reggae Award went to Whanganui reggae band NLC. 

12th Waiata Māori Music Awards winners list:

• Best Māori Traditional Album (Te Reo Māori) Award: Te Kākano
• Best Māori Urban Artist: Tipene (‘Tautoko’)
• Best Māori Male Solo Artist: Pere
• Best Māori Female Solo Artist: Amba Holly
• Best Song by a Māori Artist: Te Kākano (Tōrea)
• Best Māori Songwriter Award: Amba Holly
• Best Roots, Reggae Award: NLC (Know Your Roots)
• Radio Airplay Song of the Year by a Māori Artist in Te Reo Māori Award: Maimoa (Kawea)
• Radio Airplay Song of the Year by a Māori Artist: Six60 (Vibes)
• Best Video of the Year by a Māori Artist: L.A.B (Baby Will You Let Me)

Waiata Maori Music Awards Iconic recipients:

• Trevor Horowaewae Maxwell – Keeper of Tradition / Kaitiaki Tikanga Pūoru 
• Jarrod Huirama – Music Industry Award / Ahumahi Pūoru 
• Abe Phillips – Lifetime Contribution to Māori Music / Mauriora o Te Ao Pūoru Māori  
• Pixie Williams – Lifetime Contribution to Māori Music / Mauriora o Te Ao Pūoru Māori