Pacific Music Awards thriving on stage, struggling behind the scenes
The Pacific Music Awards marked it 22nd year this week but organisers say the event is struggling financially
The Pacific Music Awards, celebrating 22 years in 2023, faces financial struggles despite being a staple on the New Zealand Pasifika calendar. Held at Manukau's Due Drop Events centre and livestreamed, the awards saw RnB artist Sam V criticize the government's arts funding during his award-winning speech. Peter Goldsmith, a National MP, defended the government's investment in the arts, claiming it exists despite the PMAs' financial challenges.
However, Paul Goldsmith, who attended the awards, disagreed with Goldsmith's characterization. The Pacific Music Awards Trust, relying on government-funded agencies and sponsorships, is now seeking public donations, stating they are struggling to plan long-term due to the annual nature of their funding. Despite the financial difficulties, the awards' trustee, Petrina Togi-Sa ena, remains optimistic, exploring alternative revenue streams and reviewing the event format.
Written by urgent.news from RNZ Pacific's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
