Announcing the 2023 Pacific Music Awards Finalists

The finalists for the 2023 Pacific Music Awards were announced last night at an event hosted at the recording studio, live music venue and community space Big Fan in Morningside, Auckland.

Across 13 awards categories, this year’s 24 finalists encompass a wide range of new artists and established musicians. At the 2023 Pacific Music Awards, there are 10 first time finalists, alongside 13 previous award winners.

This year’s lead finalists including MELODOWNZ, Olivia Foa’i and Sam V who are each nominated for four award categories at this year’s awards.

Hip hop talent MELODOWNZ is nominated for NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, Matai Watches Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist and Recorded Music Te Pukaemi Toa o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa | Best Pacific Music Album for his album Lone Wolf. He’s also nominated for NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video for ‘Pray For Me feat. Lisi, Mikey Dam’, directed by Connor Pritchard.

Dancer, director and musician Olivia Foa’i is nominated for Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist, SunPix Best Pacific Language and APRA Best Pacific Song for her song ‘Sunlight’, as well as NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video alongside director Shae Sterling.