Members of the New Zealand music industry, media and invited guests were dazzled on Wednesday night by an action
packed, emotionally charged, fervently patriotic event - the annual showcasing of our brightest talent; the 38th New
Zealand Music Awards.
Hosted by Lucy Lawless and a manic Oliver Driver, this year's event was a seamless reminder of just why Kiwis everywhere
should be proud to support their local music industry, and a firm reflection of the fact that New Zealand music is continuing to
grow stronger year by year.
Held at the Aotea Centre in Auckland, the 2003 Tuis saw hard rocking Cambridge act The Datsuns - a band who have created a
huge wave of interest in the UK - and singer/songwriter Bic Runga take home multiple awards.
Runga, having had a successful reprise to her career with new album Beautiful Collision , following a hiatus of several years,
was typically low-key in her acceptance of Best Solo Artist, Best Female Vocal and Highest Selling NZ Album awards.
Only in the country for 13 hours, The Datsuns can return to Australia tonight, where they are currently touring, satisfied that the
trip was worth it, as they received awards for Breakthrough Artist Of The Year, International Achievement, Best Group and the
coveted Album Of The Year for their self-titled debut disc.
Another band to take the stage on Wednesday night on more than one occasion were Aucklanders Goodshirt, who carried off
both the Single Of The Year award for their pop flavoured song "Sophie" and Songwriter Of The Year award for the same track.
Popular nominees Nesian Mystik were in the running for many of the premier awards, but fans (and there were plenty of them
among the crowd) had to wait until the Best Urban Album award was announced to celebrate - the chart-topping collective
receiving the award for their debut album Polysaturated .
"No disrespect to the organisers, but we play hip hop - I don't know about this urban thing," vocalist Awanui Pine Reader stated
lightheartedly at the podium.
Juice TV's Verge Le Brun presented the Juice People's Choice Award to Nesian Mystik also - a tough category to win in,
considering almost all the nominees from the premier awards were included here as well.
Other guest presenters included popular sports figures such as David Tua (replete in cowboy hat) and Jonah Lomu, alongside
other recognisable stars such as James Reid from Christchurch band The Feelers, actors Lawrence Makaore and Temuera
Morrison, Peter Urlich, Jimmy and Dion from The D4 and television personality Jon Bridges.
The event was kicked off with a genre-splitting assault from nu-metal mainstays Blindspott, who were joined on stage by punchy
hip hop outfit Deceptikonz. Other performers to treat the assembled crowd to live music were Hamilton's mighty reggae
exponents Katchafire, the bone-chilling space dub of Rhombus was well in effect tonight and Bic Runga gave a haunting,
flawless performance of two songs from her new album.
Garage rockers The D4 proved as tight and blistering onstage as ever, while Goldenhorse and Anika Moa also entertained. The
evening was finished off by Nesian Mystik, who were joined by local legend Che Fu for a soulful run-through of the still damn
catchy "It's On".
The most poignant moment of the night came when veteran music journalist Dylan Taite was posthumously awarded the
Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to the local industry.
With only football rivaling his passion for music, Taite's impact and presence both behind and in front of the camera was
highlighted by a montage of his most famous antics, interviews and hairstyles. The crowd gave an emotional standing ovation to
a man who will be sorely missed in the local music scene.
RIANZ president Michael Glading presented the award, saying that Taite never sought recognition for his work, but just wanted
"to expose the music he loved."
