Latest news with #Aaradhna
Scoop
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
L.A.B And Stan Walker Announce Summer Tour With Special Guests
Press Release – NikNak Media After tearing up stages across New Zealand and Australia this past summer, the incredible combination of L.A.B and Stan Walker will again join for three memorable outdoor shows this summer – including a return to L.A.B and Stan Walker's home of theBay Of Plenty; a one-off Australian show on the Gold Coast; and L.A.B's first Auckland show in over four years. Presented by Loop, the first show will take place on Saturday December 27, 2025 at Wharepai Domain in Tauranga followed by Saturday January 3, 2026 at Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast. The final show will take place on Saturday January 31, 2026 at Auckland's Trusts Arena Outer Fields. These three special shows will see massive line-ups including: L.A.B, Stan Walker, Aaradhna & Te Wehi (All Shows). Corrella (Tauranga only). Tiki Taane (Gold Coast only). Nesian Mystik (Auckland only, first show in Tāmaki Makaurau in over 15 years). Tickets for all three shows go on sale Thursday, July 31 at 12pm from with Afterpay available for all shows. Sign up for pre-sale access for all shows from These three outdoor shows will be the perfect summer day out, with a collection of acts who represent Aotearoa summertime all in one place. As a special treat, each show will see a different artist added to the line-up, giving each city a unique line-up not seen anywhere else. Tauranga will see Corrella on the line-up, bringing with them their high-energy brand of reggae/soul. Auckland will see the legendary Nesian Mystik performing their first show in Auckland in over 15 years. Gold Coast gets the ultimate party-starter Tiki Taane, bringing his epic One Man Band set up on the road back to the GC. These shows will be L.A.B's first headline shows since winning the Te Manu Mātārae Award at the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards, an award acknowledging an artist's impact on the music landscape. Their most recent album L.A.B VI included the hits 'Take It Away' and 'Casanova', and 2025 has seen them already touring across the globe. This will be their only headline shows in NZ and Australia this coming summer, so expect three massive days out. Tauranga will be a return home for L.A.B for the first time in over two years, while their Auckland performance will be the first in Tāmaki Makaurau in over four years. Stan Walker is an artist who continues to go from strength to strength. Taking home the Best Māori Artist and Mana Reo awards at the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards, Stan's captivating live show sees him combine with his longtime band, The Levites, creating a powerful experience with every performance. Fresh off of multiple visits to the United States through 2025, and with new music on the way, Stan will bring his ever-expanding catalogue of hits to the stage at these shows. All three shows will see L.A.B and Stan Walker joined by Aaradhna and Te Wehi. One of the most stunning voices in Aotearoa, Aaradhna announced her return with her acclaimed 2024 album SWEET SURRENDER. The album saw her take home Best Soul/RnB Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards, with select live performances over the past 12 months reminding audiences why she is a true legend of the scene. Each show will be opened up by the fast-rising Te Wehi. The Bay Of Plenty native has quickly become one of the most sought-after artists in the country, already boasting three #1's on the Aotearoa Hot Singles Chart. His unique blend of country-tinged reggae will be the perfect stage setter for a massive day of live music. These three shows see a line-up of the finest Māori/Pasifika artists in Aotearoa combine for a series of summer shows that aren't to be missed. Be sure to secure tickets for L.A.B's NZ summer tour. Presented by Loop, thanks to Kirin Hyoketsu, Corona, Mānuka Phuel & Mai FM.
RNZ News
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
The Pacific Music Award nominees are out!
With the AMAs behind us, next on the awards calendar is the Pacific Music Awards! The nominees were announced this morning with a record 34 finalists. Leading them with four nominations each is Aaradhna and Shane Walker. Shane is up for Best Pacific Male Artist, Best Gospel Artist, Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist, and Best Pacific Song. He joins Jesse in the Auckland studio. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Midday Report Essentials for Tuesday 24 June 2025
Pacific transport 6 minutes ago In today's episode, the US President has declared a complete and total ceasefire between Iran and Israel, flights from Auckland to Doha are set to resume on Tuesday afternoon after Monday's flight was diverted to nearby Oman in the wake of Iranian strikes on a US airbase, General Practice networks say any money for the severely underfunded sector is welcome, but it doesn't fix the decades of underinvestment, and the finalists for the Pacific Music Awards have been revealed, with artists Shane Walker and Aaradhna leading the pack.
RNZ News
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Finalists for Pacific Music Awards announced
Pacific music 21 minutes ago The finalists for the Pacific Music Awards have been revealed, with artists Shane Walker and Aaradhna leading the pack. Tahi presenter So'omalo Iteni Schwalger spoke to Charlotte Cook.
Scoop
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Record Finalist Numbers As Pacific Music Awards Celebrates 21 Years Of Musical Recognition; Awards Announced Last Night
The finalists for the 2025 Pacific Music Awards were announced last night at a ceremony at the Mangere Arts Centre in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. This year's celebration of Pacific music marks the 21st anniversary of the event. Following the highest number of entries to the awards so far, this year there are a record 34 finalists across 13 categories. Among the finalists are 15 first-time nominees - a testament to the incredible depth of talent and the vibrant growth within the Pacific music community, as a new wave of artists rise into the spotlight. Leading the pack with four nominations are SHANE WALKER and Aaradhna. Cook Island and Māori songwriter who began his career with his uncle Rahui "Brother Love" Vaka and Father Dion DHarp Paekau, SHANE WALKER has now built his own distinct sound. WALKER is up for NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, 531pi Best Gospel Artist, Pacificast Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist, and APRA Best Pacific Song for 'Believe'. Soul/R&B singer Aaradhna is also nominated for four awards including Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist, RNZ Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist, and Recorded Music Te Tino Pukaemi Moana Nui a Kiwa o te Tau | Best Pacific Music Album for Sweet Surrender. She's also nominated for NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video for 'Mango Tree', directed by Prasenjit Das. Onehunga hip hop group SWIDT have received three nods at the 2025 Pacific Music Awards for FLAVA Best Pacific Group, ONErpm Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist, and Recorded Music Te Tino Pukaemi Moana Nui a Kiwa o te Tau | Best Pacific Music Album for Taking Care of Business. Jordyn Rapana - aka Jordyn with a Why - draws inspiration from her Māori and Samoan heritage in creating her bilingual, 1980s tinged music. This year, she is nominated for Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist, RNZ Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist, and Recorded Music Te Tino Pukaemi Moana Nui a Kiwa o te Tau | Best Pacific Music Album for Hibiscus Moon, Love & Justice. Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, with Maori/Cook Island roots, Lomez Brown blends reggae, old-school soul/RnB, and Polynesian grooves, creating music that resonates deeply with listeners. He's nominated for Pacificast Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist and Recorded Music Te Tino Pukaemi Moana Nui a Kiwa o te Tau | Best Pacific Music Album for his album UNDER-RATED. Known for his introspective lyrics and genre-blending sound, prominent rapper, poet, and singer MELODOWNZ is nominated for NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist and ONErpm Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist. Other finalists this year include Kenzie from Welly (Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist, ONErpm Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist), A.R.T (FLAVA Best Pacific Group, Pacific Media Network Best Pacific Language), Sam V (NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, RNZ Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist), Tree (Pacific Media Network Best Pacific Language, APRA Best Pacific Song), Adeaze (FLAVA Best Pacific Group), Village 90 (FLAVA Best Pacific Group), Diggy Dupé (NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist), Myshaan (NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist), Junior Soqeta (Pacific Media Network Best Pacific Language), Opetaia Foa'i & Moana 2 Artists (Pacific Media Network Best Pacific Language), Wayno (Pacific Media Network Best Pacific Language), David Dallas (ONErpm Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist), Brotherhood Musiq (531pi Best Gospel Artist), Saia Frank Sola (531pi Best Gospel Artist), Sire (531pi Best Gospel Artist), Rubi Du (Pacificast Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist), Fejoint, Lomez Brown and Switch.E (APRA Best Pacific Song), T'NAY (APRA Best Pacific Song), Jaro Local (NIU FM Best International Pacific Artist), KUKI (NIU FM Best International Pacific Artist), Paradise Rootz (NIU FM Best International Pacific Artist), Seven Suns (NIU FM Best International Pacific Artist), and The 046 (NIU FM Best International Pacific Artist ). There are also four nominees for MPGNZ/SAE Creative Media Institute Best Producer including Astro and EDY (90's Fine', 'Rolling Your Eyes', Sam V), Canaan Ene ('The Way It Is', 'Handyman', 'You've Got A Friend', 'Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You, 'Selfish', 'Lately', Canaan Ene and various artists), Feagaigafou Tupa'i, Logovi'i Tupa'i, Astro, EDY ('Forever I Am Yours', Adeaze) and Ikon Music ('When He Was Mine (Pele Fo'i Mai)', 'Easy', A.R.T). Finally, the finalists for NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video are Haanz Fa'avae-Jackson ('Mayehe',directed by Mario Faumui & Ben Mikha), Shepherds Reign ('Ala Mai', directed by Bahanor Borhani), Tha Movement ('The Lecture', directed by Samson Rambo), and TheWesternGuide ('Bottom of the Bed', directed by Esther Mauga). Matai continues to support the awards and will provide timepieces which will be gifted to all the winners at the awards ceremony, alongside the beautiful trophies. Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev Mua Strickson-Pua said: 'Aotearoa is celebrating Matariki, the Māori New Year, with the 2025 theme 'Matariki mā Puanga', highlighting inclusion and unity. The Pacific Music Awards honours Matariki as a treasured cultural celebration across Pacific languages and traditions. 'This year marks the 21st anniversary of the Pacific Music Awards. Inspired by the wisdom of Matariki, we celebrate a record-breaking year with the highest number of entries, finalists, and Pacific languages represented - especially in our International category. 'To all 2025 finalists: thank you. As always, our Finalist Announcement event is a celebration for families, communities, and the wider music industry—where everyone is a winner. Guided by our ancestors, we honour the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a bright future.' Trustee and Event Producer, Petrina Togi-Sa'ena says: 'It feels like we are entering a new era for the Pacific Music Awards as we celebrate our 21st year. The year looked very daunting with the challenging environment for funding and events. Then we opened for entries and the wave of nominations came through. We received a record number of entries, which has flowed on to more finalists and more first-time finalists than ever before. All strong signals of this new wave and the strength of Pacific music right now. 'The music of the finalists has allowed us to celebrate all our artists from the incredible Pacific music community here in Aotearoa, to recognise so many genres, to honour our Pacific languages through music and to reach across the moana to connect with artists living overseas. I am really proud of this year's finalists and so happy for everyone being acknowledged.' The SunPix People's Choice Award voting opens Tuesday 1st July, and all artists nominated for the 2025 Pacific Music Awards are eligible. The winner will be decided entirely by public vote, which can be cast through the voting poll on the PMA website. Voting will close on Friday 1st August 2025. To listen to all the nominees, here's the official PMA 2025 Finalist Playlist. This year's Pacific Music Award winners will be celebrated on Thursday 21st August 2025, at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau. 2025 Pacific Music Awards finalists: Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist Aaradhna - Sweet Surrender Jordyn with a Why - Hibiscus Moon, Love & Justice Kenzie from Welly - 'Hold Ya Head', 'Queendom' NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist Diggy Dupé - 'Request Line' MELODOWNZ - 'Broke', 'Calm and Chill', 'When I', 'High Vibration', 'MeloDub (828)', 'Directions' Myshaan - 'Power of Love (Reggae)', 'Carry My Heart', 'Wrapped', 'I Do' Sam V - '90's Fine', 'Rolling Your Eyes' SHANE WALKER - 'Coasty Girl','Maori in Me', 'Iesu', 'Let Me Be Your Man', 'The Lord is Watching You', Believe' Flava Best Pacific Group Adeaze - 'Forever I Am Yours' A.R.T - 'When He Was Mine (Pele Fo'i Mai)', 'Easy' SWIDT - Taking Care of Business Village 90 - 'U & Me' Pacific Media Network Best Pacific Language A.R.T - 'When He Was Mine (Pele Fo'i Mai)', 'Easy' Junior Soqeta - 'Moni Meke', 'Senituli 'Oe Tau'ataina', 'Buna Na Isa Lei Buna' Opetaia Foa'i & Moana 2 Artists - 'Tulou Tagaloa (Sei e Va'ai Mai)', 'My Wish For You (Innocent Warrior), 'Finding the Way', 'Mana Vavau', 'We're Back (Te Vaka version), 'Nuku O Kaiga' Tree - 'Tupulaga Samoa ft Wayno' Wayno - 'Siva Samoa 2K24 (Reggae Version)', 'Siva Samoa 2K24', 'Fafine Faitala', 'Tama O Le Faifaiaso' 531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist Brotherhood Musiq - 'Open The Eyes of My Heart' Saia Frank Sola - 'E Le Galo Le Mativa (Feat. DJ Twitch)', 'Fai Oe Ma Leleiga', 'Sili Ai Lou Alu Eke Moe', 'E Le'o Se Mea Ta'alo Lo'u Alofa', 'Aisea', Oute Le Ma i Le Mativa', Tofa La'u Feagaiga' SHANE WALKER - 'Iesu' Sire - 'Temporary' ONErpm Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist David Dallas - Vita Kenzie from Welly - 'Hold Ya Head', 'Queendom' MELODOWNZ - 'Broke', 'Calm and Chill', 'When I', 'High Vibration', 'MeloDub (828)', 'Directions' SWIDT - Taking Care of Business RNZ Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist Aaradhna - Sweet Surrender Jordyn with a Why - Hibiscus Moon, Love & Justice Sam V - '90's Fine', 'Rolling Your Eyes' Pacificast Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist Lomez Brown - UNDER-RATED Rubi Du - 'Calling', 'Day Dreaming' SHANE WALKER - 'Let Me Be Your Man', 'The Lord is Watching You' NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video Aaradhna - 'Mango Tree' Director: Prasenjit Das Haanz Fa'avae-Jackson - 'Mavehe' Directors: Mario Faumui & Ben Mikha Shepherds Reign – 'Ala Mai' Director: Bahador Borhani Tha Movement - 'The Lecture' Director: Samson Rambo TheWesternGuide – 'Bottom of the Bed' Director: Esther Mauga MPGNZ/SAE Creative Media Institute Best Producer Astro and EDY - '90's Fine', 'Rolling Your Eyes', Sam V Canaan Ene - 'The Way It Is', 'Handyman', 'You've Got A Friend', 'Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You, 'Selfish', 'Lately', Canaan Ene and various artists Feagaigafou Tupa'i, Logovi'i Tupa'i, Astro, EDY - 'Forever I Am Yours', Adeaze Ikon Music – 'When He Was Mine (Pele Fo'i Mai)', 'Easy', A.R.T APRA Best Pacific Song Fejoint, Lomez Brown, Switch.E - 'Stay' Written by: Fejoint, Norman, Brown Sione Eliesa SHANE WALKER - 'Believe' Written by Shane Walker T'NAY - 'Penina O Le Vasa ft Wayno' Written by: Sililo Tapuitima Tree - 'Tupulaga Samoa ft Wayno' Written by: Juliana Sopoaga Lologa and Joyce Lonise Toleafoa NIU FM Best International Pacific Artist Jaro Local - 'Aghe Kula' KUKI – 'What's Up', 'Fijian Lewa', 'Au Na Vuka Yani', Noqu Vanua (EP), Paradise Rootz - 'Galili', 'Liwa Donu Tu', 'AJI ft The Gang' Seven Suns - Many Feathers The 046 - 'Music is Everything', 'Lifetime', 'Young Free & Reckless', 'Hustle Hard' 'All In' Recorded Music NZ Te Tino Pukaemi Moana Nui a Kiwa o e Tau | Best Pacific Music Album Aaradhna - Sweet Surrender Jordyn with a Why - Hibiscus Moon, Love & Justice Lomez Brown - UNDER-RATED SWIDT - Taking Care of Business For more information: About the Pacific Music Awards In 2004 the Pacific Music Awards Committee (PMAC) was formed to realise a vision and the inaugural Pacific Music Awards debuted at Pasifika Festival in March 2005. Encouraged by the success of the awards the PMAC set about developing an annual event as a significant highlight of the New Zealand music industry calendar. The awards committee formed a Charitable Trust to organise and host the awards, and are driven by a simple core objective: to create and manage an event that acknowledges the success of Pacific artists, celebrates and promotes excellence in Pacific music and encourages young Pacific musicians to aspire to a higher level of achievement.
