Singer-songwriter RANEA Aperahama (Teresa McGregor) has taken out the prestigious “Radio Airplay Song Of The Year award by a Māori Artist in Te Reo Māori” for his song “Tihei Mauri Ora” at the 2016 Waiata Māori Music Awards held in Hastings last Friday night.
Presented by Te Whakaruruhau o Ngā Reo Irirangi Māori Chairperson, Willie Jackson, the award is especially significant to RANEA as it was awarded for the Māori language song which achieved the most airplay on Māori Radio Stations throughout the country for 2016.
An impromptu performance at the end of the evening by RANEA with Hamilton band Rootz Konekt, who played the song “What’s The Time Mr Wolf” (by Ranea’s old band Southside of Bombay), was a highlight of the awards event and received a standing ovation from the audience.
“Tihei Mauri Ora” is the title track from RANEA’s debut solo album which won “Best Māori Album” at the 2015 Vodafone NZ Music Awards. RANEA was also a finalist in the 2015 APRA Maioha award, and won four awards at the 2015 Waiata Māori Music Awards for “Best Māori Solo Artist”, “Best Māori Songwriter”, “Best Traditional Māori Album”, and “Best Māori Urban Roots/Reggae Album”.
RANEA’s album was produced by Māori Language Music Producer Maaka Phat McGregor, and funded by Te Māngai Pāho. The video for “Tihei Mauri Ora” was produced by Te Amokura Productions and funded by NZ On Air and Porirua City Council.