2025 Waiata Māori Music Awards Winners
2025 Waiata Māori Music Awards Winners
The 2025 Waiata Māori Music Awards proved a rewarding night for Gisborne’s Tuari Brothers, with the whānau trio named as best Māori group, while Haami Tuari was announced best Māori male solo artist. Emerging Napier artist Makayla Purcell-Mainini (aka Makayla) won the best Māori female solo artist award.
Auckland reggae ensemble Corrella, who were judged best Māori group last year, won for both best roots reggae album by a Māori artist and best Māori pop album, with their late 2024-released album ‘Skeletons’.
TAWAZ was another to have two wins, with best song by a Māori Artist and radio airplay song of the year (Te Reo Māori). The Palmerston North singer-songwriter and translator also had a double win at last year’s Aotearoa Music Awards, with both the Best Māori Artist and Mana Reo awards.
Tipene‘s album ‘Heritage Trail 2 – The Partnership’ which features Troy Kingi and Jordyn with a Why, as well as contributions from Māori politicians, won the Best Hip Hop and RnB Album award. His single Tū was also named the best music video by a Māori artist award.
Reggae/roots artist Hori Shaw picked up the radio airplay song of the year by a Māori artist, while the emerging artist over 25 award was shared by Shane Walker, Ngatainui Ratu and Rawhitiroa.
The awards were held on November 14 at the Toitoi Hawkes Bay Arts & Events Centre in Hastings. Singer and composer Toni Huata, who died in February 2025, was commemorated with a WMMA Lifetime Achievement award, while the late producer Wyn Anania was recognised for his dedication to preserving te reo Māori, as winner of the iconic contribution to music industry award.