At the Waiata Māori Music Awards 2021 held in the Hawke’s Bay on Saturday, October 9, Troy Kingi and L.A.B. each enjoyed wins in three different categories, while Sir Pita Sharples and Che Fu were honoured for their special contributions to Māori music.
The 90-minute awards ceremony was held online for the second year in a row due to Covid-19 and remains available to view on-demand at Māori Television, as well as via the Māori+ app.
Now in its 14th year, the event included performances by Maisey Rika, Tipene Harmer, Amba Holly, taonga pūoro practitioner Horomona Horo, Ainslie Allen, I.A, Perēri King, Sianne and the Tuari Brothers, with a finale performance by the night’s other multi-category winner, Stan Walker.
2021 Winners were:
- Te Tohu Kaipūoru Aratine Māori Autaia – Best Māori Pop Album: L.A.B.
- Te Tohu Waiata Māori Hira – Best Song by a Māori Artist: L.A.B. Why Oh Why
- Te Tohu Rōpū Māori Autaia – Best Māori Group: L.A.B
- Te Tohu Kaipūoru Māori Autaia – Best R’n’B Album: Troy Kingi
- Te Tohu O Te Kaitito Waiata Māori Autaia – Best Māori Songwriter: Troy Kingi
- Te Tohu Manu Tioriori Tāne Autaia – Best Māori Male Solo Artist: Troy Kingi
- Te Tohu Manu Tioriori Wahine Autaia – Best Māori Female Solo Artist: Paige
- Te Tohu Kōpae Irirangi Kaipūoru Māori O Te Tau – Radio Airplay Song of the Year by a Māori Artist: Sons of Zion, Love On The Run
- Te Tohu Kōpae Irirangi Kaipūoru Reo Māori O Te Tau – Radio Airplay Song of the Year by a Māori Artist in Te Reo Māori: Stan Walker, Tua
- Te Tohu Ataatu Autaia – Best Music Video of the Year by a Māori Artist: Stan Walker, Bigger
- Te Tohu Kaipūoru Pakeke Hou – Emerging Artist Over 25 Award – Origin Roots Aotearoa
- Te Tohu Kaipūoru Māori Noho Taone Autaia – Best Hip Hop Album – Kings
- Te Tohu Kōpaeroa Autaia – Best Roots Reggae Album by a Māori Artist – Grove Roots
- Tā Pita Sharples was presented with Te Tohu Kaitiaki Tikanga Pūoru – Iconic Keeper of Traditions Award
- Che Fu was presented with Te Tohu O Te Ahumahi Pūoru – Iconic Contribution to the Music Industry Award