Rob Ruha sweeps three Waiata awards

Māori musician Rob Ruha has won three awards at the Waiata Māori Music awards in Hastings.

Mr Ruha won the awards for Best Māori Traditional Album for his album Pūmau, Best Song by a Māori Artist for his waiata 'Paremata Mene' and Best Māori Songwriter.

Ruha is currently on his first national tour, which started in the weekend.

2016 Waiata Māori Music Awards Winners:

• The Best Māori Traditional Album - Rob Ruha's Pūmau
• The Best Māori Pop Album - Kirsten Te Rito's Āiotanga
• Radio Airplay Song of the Year by a Māori Artist in Te Reo - Ranea's 'Tihei Mauri Ora'
• Radio Airplay Song of the Year by a Māori Artist - Six60's 'White Lines'
• The Best Music Video by a Māori Artist - Rei's 'The Chief's Speech'
• Emerging Rangatahi Artists - Toikitauri
• Emerging Artist - Rootz Konekt
• The Best Māori Urban Roots Album - Israel Starr's Through The Ages And Forever
• The Best Māori Songwriter - Rob Ruha
• The Best Māori Male Solo Artist - Maaka Fiso
• The Best Māori Female Solo Artist - Amba Holly
• The Best Song by a Māori Artist - Rob Ruha's 'Paremata Mene'

Ruha has also been named as a finalist in the upcoming APRA Silver Scrolls for the APRA Maioha Award for his song 'Kariri', which features Tiki Taane.