2025 Pacific Music Awards Winners Announced

Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau hosted the Pacific Music Awards ceremony last night, recognising Pacific musical excellence for the awards' twenty first year. Big winners on the night included Shane Walker, Aaradhna, A.R.T and Jordyn with a Why (recipient of Best Pacific Music Album), with attendees being treated to live performances by Aaradhna, MELODOWNZ, Sam V, Lomez Brown, A.R.T, Myshaan and Opetaia & Te Vaka Singers. Scroll downwards for the full list of 2025 winners...

"The 2025 Pacific Music Awards celebrates our 21st birthday anniversary, taking on responsibilities and new beginnings. We were heartened by the highest number of entries and first-time finalists. We celebrated all of Pacific music. We honoured Opetaia Foa’i, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Samoan global Pasifika music pioneer for over thirty years with Te Vaka and more recently the successful and popular Disney Movie franchise Moana 1 and Moana 2. Opetaia will be presented with the Pacific Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award. We acknowledged our history and legacy again fa’afetai lava Chris Ta’aloga Faiumu, DJ Mu and George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso. The 2025 Pacific Music Awards humbly shares our Pacific music families, communities and nations' latest expression of Pacific excellence, navigating Malaga Ola life journeys." - "Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua, spokesperson for the Pacific Music Awards Trust

2025 Pacific Music Awards winners:

Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist
Aaradhna - Sweet Surrender

NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist
Shane Walker - ‘Coasty Girl’, ‘Maori in Me’, ‘Iesu’, ‘Let Me Be Your Man’, ‘The Lord is Watching You’, ‘Believe’

Flava Best Pacific Group
A.R.T - ‘When He Was Mine (Pele Fo'i Mai)’, ‘Easy’

Pacific Media Network Best Pacific Language
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’

531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist Brotherhood
Musiq - 'Open The Eyes of My Heart'

ONErpm Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist
Kenzie from Welly - ‘Hold Ya Head’, ‘Queendom’

RNZ Best Pacific Soul / RnB Artist
Sam V - ‘90's Fine’, ‘Rolling Your Eyes’

Pacificast Best Pacific Roots / Reggae Artist
Lomez Brown - UNDER-RATED

NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video
Tha Movement - ’The Lecture’, director: Samson Rambo

MPG Aotearoa / SAE Creative Media Institute Best Producer
Astro, EDYONTHEBEAT, Sam V - ‘90's Fine’, ‘Rolling Your Eyes’, Sam V

APRA Best Pacific Song
Shane Walker - ‘Believe’, written by Shane Walker

NIU FM Best International Pacific Artist
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
 Jordyn with a Why - Hibiscus Moon, Love & Justice

Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award
 Opetaia Foa’i

Matai Special Recognition Award
DJ K-SWIZZ

SunPix People’s Choice Award - Best Pacific Artist
Shane Walker

NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award
A.R.T - ‘When He Was Mine (Pele Fo’I Mai)’

NZ On Air Streaming Award
Savage ft Aaradhna ‘They Don’t Know’

Phillip Fuemana Award – Most Promising Pacific Artist
Nelz

Creative New Zealand Award
Chris Ta’aloga Faiumu (MU)

Arch Angel Independent Music Award
BLK Entertainment

Winner of NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video, watch Tha Movement's 'The Lecture' directed by Samson Rambo...