Am I Too Late To Talk About the AMA's?

TE AO MĀORI | MATARIKI

Written by Hirimaia Eketone (they/them) | @hiri_music | Te Ao Māori Editor 

As an aspiring musician, it pains me to admit I’ve never really paid close attention to the Aotearoa Music Awards, or any type of NZ music award really. It’s only been in recent years when friends of mine have started being nominated that I’ve decided to tune in. Amongst a rush of consistent media that is shoved in your face from every possible opening, I’ve never felt a particular pull to awards shows as a whole. Hell, I’ve never watched the Oscars or the Grammys. Heoi ano, it was safe to say heading into the Aotearoa Music Awards as a journalist was a layered and complex experience. So whether you’re a seasoned veteran of these awards, an occasional dabbler or a fresh-faced newbie like myself, come along as I report on the happenings of the since-passed AMA’s.

Nothing can truly prepare you for the absolute RUSH of a red carpet. Sure, our humble showing at the Viaduct Events Centre was nothing compared to award shows thrown across the world, with all the millionaires dressing the part just for the fun of it. Nevertheless, the nominees were dressed to the absolute nines as they sauntered down the carpet towards the hungry array of radio stations, news reporters and scared Debate Magazine journalists. Everyone wanted to know how everyone else was feeling, what to expect from the performers of the event and who was wearing what. Personally, my favourite outfit (which was difficult, considering the absolute fashion show on display) was Stan Walker’s ataahua ensemble designed by Morghan Ariki Bradshaw, representing Ōtautahi’s clothing label, FUGAWI. Walker’s face lit up when I asked him about his outfit, even though he’d likely been asked the same question a million times before me. He wore his kākahu with such mana and pride that it was hard to draw your eyes away from him. 

In a similar vein, I’d like to give an honourable mention to the talented Vera Ellen, who, after winning the 2022 Best Alternative Artist Award at the AMA’s (among other very notable achievements in recent years), was nominated once again and came to the event dressed to impress. Vera’s stylish silver two piece paired with a crocheted fishnet-looking hood was absolutely serving cunt. If I had more time, I would’ve loved to talk to her more about the inspiration behind the outfit, though I’m willing to bet that is just how she dresses on the regular. Oh, to be blessed with fashion talent. 

The actual awards themselves were good. There was no winner that was incredibly polarising, nor did I feel like anyone was particularly robbed. To be completely honest, as much as I enjoyed basking in the elegance of the night and celebrating the best of the best, my most memorable moment from that night was talking with the artists face to face about unrelated things. 2025 Taite Music Prize recipient and newly Best Electronic Artist MOKOTRON spent a good portion of the night deep in korero with me about whanau, kaupapa, Māori waiata and his plans for the night. When asked what Matariki meant to him, he responded, saying, “It’s recently become way more mainstream through kura. Like, I only did my first celebration of Matariki 22 years ago, but now everyone is joining the early morning kaupapa … I think, you know, people know that your spirit moves early in the morning around 4 am. There's something about getting up early, the emotions are intense, even just seeing the smoke from the hangi rise into the starry sky, it gets you, eh?”

The emotions of the night were as intense as could be, with Mokotron taking out the well-deserved win for the Best Electronic Artist category. When I caught up with him afterwards, humble as ever, he expressed his thanks to those who had helped him on his journey and emphasised the need for more Māori artists in the field.

“Don’t follow in my footsteps,” he joked, “just do the thing that’s in your heart and pursue it relentlessly…” “.... If you don’t fit in, then you’ve got no one to compete with, you know?”

Stan Walker seemed to echo a similar sentiment, pushing for the up-and-coming artists to be recognised, rewarded and encouraged “As grateful as I am, you know,” Walker said, “I’m glad it’s shining a light on the younger artists who are starting to break through. We need more of that.”

These sentiments were evident even in the categories, with seasoned and fresh nominees across the board, in every genre. I am always quick to criticise when the same people get awards over and over again, as it isn’t as if Aotearoa is lacking in musicians to celebrate. This year's spread felt right, felt fair. Sure, there were some awards I didn’t fully agree with, and yeah, there were absolutely some more local heavy hitters who weren’t nominated. A judging panel is never going to fully agree nor satisfy the eager audience, so for that, kia ora Aotearoa Music Awards, you did well. 

In not-so-short, the awards this year were a great time to celebrate our local music scene and schmooze with the important people in the industry. Congratulations to all award recipients and apologies for not spending much time on the actual award winners. However, I’m sure by the time this goes to print, you’ll have the list of stars memorised. Massive shout-out to the organisation team at the AMA’s as well, because keeping your cool amongst malfunctions, delays, and the general stress of the night is no small feat and deserves recognition.

If you take one thing away from this AMA review/conversation piece/yap, it should be the confidence to Do Your Own Thing. Be bold. Be brave. Do things because your heart tells you to, not because society does. The only way we can continue being the least bit interesting is by celebrating the things that make each of us unique.