By Renee Kirk
The rain stayed away and the sun even put in a brief appearance, enough time for the stars of New Zealand's music scene to strut their stuff on the red carpet.
There were stretch limos, cameras by the dozen, plenty of familiar faces - and a few not-so-familiar - for the RIANZ 44th annual Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards at Auckland’s Vector Arena.
Hosted by C4’s Dai Henwood, the event was attended by many of NZ’s top musicians, a stack of industry members and over 5,000 fans.
The big winner on the night was Ladyhawke, (Pip Brown) who scooped six Tuis; Album and Single of the Year, Best Female Solo Artist, Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Best Dance/Electronic Album and sharing the International Achievement award with Brooke Fraser.
Album of the Year was for her debut album, Ladyhwake, which was released last year and has gone gold in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Single of the Year was also from said album for the song 'My Delirium', which was also performed live and a real crowd-pleaser.
The shy Masterton-born singer said she was "humbled" by the experience and a little lost for words even...she seemed to get slightly more embarrassed with each trip up, trying to give one of her awards to Anika Moa, which gave those watching a good giggle.
"I feel like I don't deserve this award," she said after accepting the Tui for Album of the Year. "... I'm not very good with words ... I'm so stoked."
The night's other big winner was Smashproof, who won the People's Choice Award, Highest Selling New Zealand Single and Best Video for their chart-topping single 'Brother'. The song broke records when it spent 11 weeks at No. 1. and with Gin Wigmore’s help they delivered a fantastic live performance.
Also right up there was the young rock band, Midnight Youth. The Auckland band, who released their debut album The Brave Don't Run earlier this year, won Best Group and Best Rock Album - beating established acts like The Mint Chicks and Fat Freddy's Drop.
The band opened the ceremony with a fiery performance of hit single 'All On Our Own' - giving fans some more of what they already love and others a taste of why they deserved to be there.
Other notable’s were Savage for Best Male Solo Artist, Ladi 6 for the much-deserved Best Urban/Hip-Hop Album and Fat Freddy's Drop for Best Aotearoa Roots Album.
Sola Rosa's live performance was a standout with Iva Lamkum being rolled out in a ten foot tall red dress and accompanied by a stilt-walker no less.
Anika Moa's turn as presenter; delivered in bare feet, with a swear word or two - particularly in reference to her request for plus size models to accompany her onstage so she would look, ‘..really hot and skinny...’ not being listened to and a bit of tongue in cheek attitude because of her lack of nominations.
John Rowles stirring rendition of 'How Great Thou Art', in tribute to Sir Howard Morrison, was beautiful and felt by many attending.
And to close the show The Mint Chicks’ cover of Ray Columbus and the Invaders' 1964 hit single 'She's a Mod', was an energetic and endearing performance which also honoured the band who had earlier received the Legacy Award. Ray Columbus and the Invaders were the first to win a New Zealand Music award for the hit 'Til We Kissed' and were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.
Click here for more coverage on the awards, including a full list of finalists and winners.