Media Release
9 May 2006

Manukau celebrates Pacific Music Awards

Manukau will be filled with the sounds of New Zealand music later this week, with the Pacific Media Awards being held for the first time in the city.

The awards are produced in association with Manukau City Council, and are a chance to celebrate traditional and contemporary Pacific music.

Mayor of Manukau City, Sir Barry Curtis, who will open the awards on Friday evening, says that having the awards held in Manukau confirms that the city is the home of Pacific music in New Zealand.

“Manukau is the most diverse city in New Zealand,” he says. “Holding the awards in Manukau is a celebration of the fact that just under a third of those who live here are of Pacific Island descent, and Manukau is home to some of those who have been pioneers in bringing Pacific music to the mainstream.

“I congratulate everyone involved in bringing this event to fruition for the second year in a row, and all those who are finalists – good luck on the night.

“These awards are about acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of Pacific music and people, and Manukau City Council is proud to sponsor this event. We hope that it will become an annual fixture on Manukau’s, and the music industry’s calendar,” Sir Barry says.

The Pacific Music Awards will be held at the Telstraclear Pacific Events Centre on Friday 12 May 2006. For more information, and tickets, visit www.ticketdirect.co.nz.

ENDS

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