IMNZ has announced Moana And The Moahunters’ first album ‘Tahi’ as the recipient of the 2019 Classic Record award. To be presented at the Taite Music Prize ceremony in Auckland on April 16, the award acknowledges NZ’s rich history of making fine albums that continue to inspire us – and also define who we are.

‘Tahi’ set precedence by fusing traditional Māori instruments, chants and beats with contemporary dance and soul grooves in its title track. The video for album track Tahi was voted Top Female Video of the Year by television viewers; Black Pearl became an anthem for Māori women, reaching No.2 on the national charts and earning the band its first Gold record, while the follow up single, A E I O U,  made the learning of Māori language and te reo vowels accessible to all. The group sang Rebel In Me to President Nelson Mandela when he was hosted at a special church service in Auckland, while the video for Peace, Love & Family featured The Neville Brothers of New Orleans. Back Where We Belong was a gospel-inspired collaboration with Minister Rasul Muhammad of the Nation of Islam. 

Also presented on April 16 will be the Best Independent Debut Award, celebrating hot new local talent. Remarkably, Waipu’s Alien Weaponry and Wax Chattels from Auckland are both also in the running for the main award of the night, with Jed Parsons‘ ‘Midnight Feast’ being the high-calibre ‘underdog’ of the three.