“Fire, Family, Faith” was the motto of the 2018 Pacific Music Awards, held last night in South Auckland. 

Ladi6 was one of the big winners of the year, taking home three awards, including Best Pacific Female Artist and Recorded Music NZ Best Pacific Music Album Tui. Producers Parks, Brandan Haru and Julien Dyne took out SIT/MAINZ Best Producer for their work on her ‘Royal Blue 3000 EP’.

Audience darling and heartthrob in the making was 12-year-old General Fiyah. His track Here To Stay won him the APRA Best Pacific Song and the People’s Choice Award. His videographer Samson Rambo was also celebrated for his work on the video of the song, receiving the NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video.

Berlin-based Avondale boy Noah Slee picked up two awards for NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist and Best Pacific Urban Artist, while local reggae group Tomorrow People were acknowledged as Best Pacific Group, as well as Best Pacific Language for their songs Lock Me Up and Sa’ili Le Alofa.

The EFKS Te Atatu Junior Youth received the Best Pacific Gospel Artist award.

The inaugural NZ On Air Streaming Award was presented to Kings for his song We’ll Never Know, while Brooke Fraser received the NZ On Air Radio Airplay for her song Therapy. Paul McKessar of her management team accepted the award on her behalf, reminding the community that with her Grammy win earlier this year, anything is possible for Pasifika artists.

The Special Recognition Award was presented to the Otara Music & Arts Centre (OMAC) for outstanding achievement and service to the community. 

Samoan rapper Poetik received the Phillip Fuemana Award for most promising Pacific artist.

Punialava’a were announced as winners of the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award and were acknowledged for their widespread influence and significant contribution to Samoan music and culture.