March 11th marks a significant milestone in the history of the Pacific Music Awards (PMA).
It was 20 years ago to the day that the very first PMA’s were held as part of the 2005 Auckland Pasika Festival.
To commemorate this milestone, the Pacific Music Awards Trust will host various events throughout the year in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch as part of their Tautua Programme.
The Trust began the year with performances by Pacific artists at events such as Waitangi ki Manukau, Waitangi Day ki Tamaki, and Portage Crossing in Auckland.
The celebrations will culminate in a special 20th anniversary awards evening scheduled for Thursday, August 29th, at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau.
The Pacific Music Awards Trust, proud stewards of this celebration, recognise the importance of this achievement and its impact on the Pacific music community recalling the 2005 ceremony where Tha Feelstyle, Adeaze, Ardijah, Sarah Jane Auva’a, and Phillip Fuemana were among the award winners.
There were also performances by Nesian Mystik, Adeaze, Tha Feelstyle, Alphrisk, and Sela Mahe helping set the tone for future celebrations.
The Trust extends its gratitude to the organising committee, Recorded Music NZ, and sponsors including APRA, 531PI, Niu FM, NZ Music Commission, and C4, for their unwavering support over the years.
The iconic PMA trophy, designed by Colin Faleafata, remains a symbol of recognition for Pacific musicians and artists, embodying the theme of ‘a sail riding on a favourable wave.’
Entries for the 2024 Pacific Music Awards will open on March 15th across 13 categories, with an additional 8 awards to be presented, totaling 21 accolades to be confirmed at the ceremony.
As the celebration unfolds, the Pacific Music Awards Trust invites everyone to honour and celebrate Pacific music, past, present, and future. Stay tuned for more updates on the awards ceremony in the coming months.
