Pacific Music Awards Sail Ahead

A sail riding on a favourable wave has been chosen to celebrate the journey of Pacific musicians when they are honoured at next month’s inaugural Pacific Music Awards.

The logo and trophy design was selected by the Pacific Music Awards Committee (PMAC) following a brief last year to a number of Pacific Island artists inviting concept design submissions for the awards.

PMAC spokesperson Rev. Strickson-Pua says the committee was impressed by the high standard of submissions.

The winning submission chosen by PMAC was that of Auckland-based artist Colin Falefata.

“We are delighted with Colin’s design. It brings the awards to life and creates an immediate understanding of the communication heritage that underpins music and culture in the Pacific Islands.” says Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua.

“If ever a single snapshot can convey a thousand years of Pacific Island enterprise, this is it,” he says. “To Pacific Islanders, a sailboat is more than just a medium of transportation. It’s also a medium of change – of communication – of sharing and celebrating.”

The 2005 Pacific Music Awards will take place at Auckland’s Pasifika Festival on March 11 at the conclusion of the Air New Zealand opening night concert.

Highlights of the 2005 Pacific Music Awards are to be screened on national free-to-air television thanks to the support of new sponsor C4.

The CanWest channel is to screen selected segments from the Air New Zealand opening night concert and the awards during Teuila Blakely’s Freestyle Live show on March 12, the day following the event.

C4 is supporting the Best Female Artist category at the awards.
“Pacific music is such a defining and vibrant influence in New Zealand so it was only natural C4 would want to be involved. We are absolutely stoked to bring the Pacific Music Awards to people around the country.” says C4 station manager, Andrew Szusterman.

C4’s support brings to five the number of sponsors for the six awards. Other sponsors are:

• Radio 531PI, Best Pacific Music Group
• Niu FM, Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist
• NZ Music Industry Commission, Best Pacific Male Artist
• APRA, Best Pacific Song.

The remaining category is Best Pacific Music Album. Finalists for all six categories are to be announced on February 19.

About the 2005 Pacific Music Awards
The 2005 Pacific Music Awards are proudly supported by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) and the NZ Music Industry Commission (NZMIC). Category sponsors include the Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA), C4, Niu FM, Radio 531PI and the NZMIC. The award winners will be announced at Pasifika Festival 2005 at the conclusion of the Air New Zealand opening night concert from 9.00pm – 9.40 pm in Auckland on March 11.

About Pasifika Festival
Pasifika Festival 2005, organised by Auckland City, is being held at Western Springs on 11 and 12 March. It starts on Friday with the Air New Zealand opening night concert at the stadium, and concludes on Saturday with a full day of performances, entertainment and festivities at the Stadium and adjacent park.

Pasifika Festival is one of more than 60 free events provided by Auckland City as part of the Ak@Play summer events programme and is sponsored by Air New Zealand, SPARC (Sport and Recreation New Zealand), Radio 531pi, The New Zealand Herald, Department of Labour, Creative New Zealand, APRA and the New Zealand Music Industry Commission (NZMIC).