Tawaz

Winner of 'Best Māori Artist' and 'Mana Reo' at the 2024 Aotearoa Music Awards, Tawaz was first introduced to the nation as Tawaroa Kawana, a contestant on New Zealand's Got Talent in 2012. Hailing from Palmerston North, the singer/musician/songwriter often performs in te reo Māori, and has worked extensively with the Waiata Anthems music series as a mātanga reo (language consultant) — as well as making his own songs for the series, including with ensemble group Tini Whetū. As a solo artist, he has collaborated with the likes of Fly My Pretties and Stan Walker, and is also a member of vocal group Maimoa, which formed in 2016.