Pacific Music Awards

As of the 2014, 12 awards are given. The Best Pacific Music Album award is part of the annual Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) New Zealand Music Awards. Previously called the Polynesian Music Tui award, the award was renamed and the presentation was moved to the Pacific Music Awards in 2005. The Tui trophy is one of three genre awards that are presented at specialist award ceremonies, separate from the main New Zealand Music Awards ceremony, however the winner is also recognised at the main NZMA ceremony later in the year.[3]

The Pacific Music Awards also include the Lifetime Achievement Award, which is given to an individual or group who has made a significant contribution to Pacific music, and the Phillip Fuemana Most Promising Artist Award, which honours an upcoming individual or group.[4]

The 2005 awards were held on Friday 11 March 2005 as part of the annual Pasifika Festival held in Western Springs, Auckland. Hip hop artist Tha Feelstyle won three of the six contestable awards. The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to producer and community figure Phil Fuemana, who died two weeks before the ceremony.[3][5][6][7]

Winners and nominees

The 2006 awards were held on Friday 12 May 2006 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau, Auckland. The awards were moved from March to May to coincide with New Zealand Music Month. No longer held as part of the Pasifika festival, the awards venue moved to the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau. The Phillip Fuemana Most Promising Artist Award was added, in honour of the late music producer.[8][9][10]

The 2007 awards were held on Thursday 31 May 2007 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau, Auckland. Boy band Spacifix won three of the six contestable awards.[11]

From 2008 to 2010, the awards were known as the S³ Pacific Music Awards, with the Pacific road safety organisation S³ the naming-rights sponsor for three years. The 2008 awards were held on Thursday 29 May 2008 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau. A new People's Choice category was added to the awards, with the public voting on the shortlist of all finalists on the PMA website.[12][13]

The 2009 S³ Pacific Music Awards were held on Saturday 23 May 2009 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau, Auckland. Pop group Nesian Mystik won the most awards, with four wins. An award for Best Pacific Gospel Album was added to the honours.[13]

The 2010 S³ Pacific Music Awards were held on Saturday 29 May 2010 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Auckland. South Auckland group Three Houses Down took out two prizes. The People's Choice Award was not given in 2010 due to "an irregularity in the voting which compromised the results." A new prize was introduced for the most Radio Airplay.[14][15]

In 2011 the awards were known as the Polynesian Blue Pacific Music Awards after airline Polynesian Blue became the naming rights sponsor. The awards were held on 28 May 2011 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre. A new award for Best Pacific Language was introduced.[16][17]

The 2012 awards were held on 31 May 2012 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Auckland. Auckland R&B duo Adeaze won three awards. The 2012 awards did not have a naming-rights sponsor. The Radio Airplay Award category was dropped from the awards.[18][19]

The 2013 awards were held on 30 May 2013 at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Auckland. From 2013 the awards are known as the Pasefika Proud Pacific Music Awards, with the government-run Family & Community Services community support programme Pasefika Proud the new naming-rights sponsor.[20] The Best Pacific Gospel Album was dropped from the 2013 awards, the Radio Airplay Award category was added back, and new category Best Pacific Music Video was added.[21] The theme for the year's awards is "honouring Pacific women".[22] The awards were dominated by Aaradhna, who won six awards.[23]

Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface.

The 2014 awards were held on Thursday 8 May 2014 at the Vodafone Events Centre (the new name of the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre) in Auckland. The awards were known as the Vodafone Pacific Music Awards, with Vodafone New Zealand as the new naming-rights sponsor. The Radio Airplay award was again dropped from the 2014 awards, and the new category Best International Pacific Artist was added.[24] The event celebrated the 10th anniversary of the awards.[25]

Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface.

The 2015 awards were held on Saturday 13 June at the Vodafone Events Centre. Auckland duo Cydel won three awards and rap trio Smashproof won two awards. The Radio Airplay Award was brought back and a Special Recognition Award was presented to popera trio Sole Mio.[26][27]

Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface.

The 2016 awards were held on Thursday 9 June at the Vodafone Events Centre. The theme for 2016 was "Don't forget your history, nor your destiny". R&B singer Vince Harder won three awards, and Pacific performance group Te Vaka won two. The Best Pacific Gospel Artist category was awarded for the first time since 2012, and new category Best Producer was added to the awards.[28][29]

Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface.

• Pacific Music awards website
• Vodafone New Zealand sponsorship