Waiata Māori Music Awards 2024 – Finalists Announced

2 August 2024

The 17th National Waiata Māori Music Awards will be a celebration of Aotearoa – New Zealand’s leading Māori music artists, performers, and songwriters.

The events Executive Director – Ellison Huata, has released the names of this year’s finalists showcasing a diverse mix of talented, emerging, and accomplished musicians, composers, and performers in the Māori music industry. This marks the start of Te Marama Pūoru Waiata Māori – Māori Music Month (August), ahead of the awards event scheduled for Friday, 6th September at the Toi Toi Hawkes Bay Arts and Events Centre.

The theme for the 2024 awards is ‘Toitū te Toiere’.

‘’Toitū te Toiere’ is a powerful statement that emphasises the importance of preserving and protecting the messages within our waiata. It is a call to ensure that our voices and the messages we convey through music remain undisturbed and continue to inspire and empower our people to decolonise their minds. Just as ‘Toitū te Tiriti’, ‘Toitū te Māori Mana Motuhake’, and ‘Toitū Te Reo’ have highlighted important themes in our journey towards cultural resurgence, ‘Toitū te Toiere’ reminds us of the significance of our music in carrying forward our stories, teachings, and aspirations. Let us uphold and safeguard the integrity of our waiata, for they carry the essence of who we are and the dreams we hold for future generations.

Anna Coddington, Mahina Lawrence, Paige, Te Kura Huia, and newcomer Haanaa are finalists for Best Māori Female Solo Artist. The male contenders are, former winners Mohi, Rei, Seth Haapu, Hori Shaw, and Shane Walker are finalists for Best Māori Male Solo Artist. The depth and breadth of talent within the Māori music industry are evident in this year’s nominations, showcasing the richness and diversity of Māori music and its contribution to the cultural resurgence and storytelling of our people.

The National Waiata Māori Music Awards continue to be a platform for honouring and celebrating the excellence and creativity of Māori musicians, further solidifying their place in the music industry and in the hearts of the people.

17th Annual Waiata Māori Music Awards Finalists 2024

Te Tohu o te Kaitito Waiata | Best Māori Song Writer

Mahina Lawrence
Coterie
Rei
Seth Haapu
Haanaa

Te Tohu Ataata Autaia | Best Music Video by a Māori Artist

Grove Roots – Toitū Te Tiriti
1 Drop Nation – Moment in Time
Coterie – Paradise
Aro – Tōtara– Rei – Toitū
Seth Haapu – Whai Ora

Te Tohu Kaipūoru Aratini Māori Autaia | Best Pop Album by a Māori Artist

Aro – He Rākau, He Ngārara
Anna Coddington – Te Whakamiha
Te Paea Seasons – Seasons

Te Tohu Kaipūoru Māori Noho Taone Autaia | Best Hip Hop & RnB Album by a Māori Artist

C33Y – Find Your Way
Diaz Grimm – Māui & the Sin
Te Paea Seasons – Seasons
Seth Haapu – Whai Ora

Te Tohu Kōpae Reo Māori Autaia | Best Te Reo Māori Album

Aro – He Rākau, He Ngārara
MOHI – Elements of Aroha
Anna Coddington – Te Whakamiha

Te Tohu Kōpaeroa Autaia | Best Māori Urban Roots Reggae Album