Singer-songwriter Lorde and soul and R&B artist Aaradhna took home the big prizes from the 48th annual Music Awards in Auckland.
Lorde won breakthrough artist of the year, the international achievement award, the people's choice award and single of the year for Royals.
“Everyone who has bought a song, or illegally downloaded a song, or posted a lovely review, or posted a nasty review, you've all helped me get to where I am,” she said.
After the show, she told reporters the awards – after all her other accolades – mean more coming from New Zealand.
Samoan-Indian artist Aaradhna was named best female solo artist and won album of the year for Treble & Reverb – also judged best urban/hip hop album aand best Pacific music album.
Backstage she told reporters she was still “buzzing out” and she was going to share the award with family and friends – over a drink.
Lawrence Arabia took out best male solo artist for his third album The Sparrow, which was also a finalist for the Taite music prize.
He was a bit shaken when he spoke to reporters backstage.
Shapeshifter won best group; Villainy took out best rock album; and Jamie McDell’s Six Strings and a Sailboat won best pop album.
Blackbird by Fat Freddy’s Drop took home best roots album, and Maisey Rika’s Whitiora won best Maori album.
The radio airplay award went to Stan Walker’s ‘Take It Easy’ and Shona Laing went home with a legacy award.