A new Phillip Fuemana Award has been created in time for the 2010 S³ Pacific Music Awards. The award will be presented to the Most Promising Pacific Artist in New Zealand on finals night. Meanwhile Pacific legends Te Vaka have been named finalists in four categories. Among other nominations, the album ‘Haoloto’ has earned Te Vaka a finalist position in the new Recognition and Promotion of Pacific Language category. Te Vaka is known around the world for its rich mix of Polynesia’s ancient and modern culture with a combination of musicians and dancers from Tokelau, Tuvalu, Samoa, Cook Islands and New Zealand. South Auckland reggae group Three Houses Down and West Auckland school teacher Malcolm Lakatani were each named in three categories. Altogether 13 artists and groups have been announced as finalists. The awards acknowledge the success of Pacific artists in New Zealand. They aim to celebrate and promote excellence in Pacific music and encourage young Pacific musicians to aspire to higher levels of achievement. Winners in each category will be announced at Manukau City’s Pacific Events Centre on 29 May 2010. Tickets can be purchased from www.ticketdirect.co.nz. The awards are sponsored by S³, a project dedicated to the survival of young Pacific people on the country’s roads. (Adapted from Pead PR Press Release)
