Entries Closing For 2012 National Waiata Maori Music Awards

PRESS RELEASE 1
Friday, July 13 2012

Entries Closing For The 2012 National Waiata Maori Music Awards

Interest is building for the 5th annual National Waiata Maori Music Awards with just a couple of weeks left before the July 30 closing date for this year’s entries.

The awards event will be held over two days at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House in Hastings, from September 13-14, 2012.

Executive director Tama Huata said there had already been keen interest from artists submitting their work for this year’s awards but urged musicians and bands, wherever they are working around the world, not to miss out on this year’s opportunity.

“The awards aim to develop and promote the diversity of all Maori music to showcase and celebrate its excellence, to recognise the unique vision of Maori composers and musicians.”

From the entries, a list of finalists will be selected and their details will be released in early August.

Mr Huata said all finalist entries are then secretly judged in a non-biased way by active members of the Maori music industry and audited by a chartered accountant.

Judges work independently, rather than as a panel, to mark the work of the finalists. The results are submitted and only the awards administrator is aware of the outcome of each category before the winners are announced at the awards ceremony evening.

The awards is operated in two sections, Open and Nominated.

In the Open Section there are nine awards being contested:
Best Maori Traditional Album (Te Reo)
Best Maori Urban Roots Album
Best Maori Pop Album
Best Maori Male or Female Solo ArtistAlbum
Best Song by a Maori Artist
Best Maori Songwriter
Radio Airplay Record of the Year by a Maori Artist in Te Reo Maori sponsored by Te Whakaruruhau o nga Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa and Radio Airplay Record of the Year by a Maori Artist.

In the Nominated Section, these awards are not judged but aim to recognize those people who have achieved or delivered a significant contribution to Maori music over the years.

Keeper of Traditions Award: A person who is or has been dedicated to the teaching of Māori culture in music.

Lifetime Contribution to Maori Music Award: A person who has dedicated a large part of their life and career to the promotion and development of Māori music in contemporary or traditional styles.

Music Industry Award: An individual, Māori or non-Māori, who is or has been active in the New Zealand music industry (i.e. in production, promotion, operations, management, etc.) who has, through their dedication to Māori music, made or presently makes a positive impact on Māori music.

Iconic Maori Music Composers Award: This is an individual that has composed a body of work in Te Reo Māori, from traditional & historical teachings in contemporary or traditional styles that has impacted on the development of Māori Music.

Entries for this year’s National Waiata Maori Music Awards close on Friday, July 30, 2012. Download entry forms from www.waitamaoriawards or contact the administrator on 646 873 0041 for more information.

ENDS

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