Tumeke FM was awarded the supreme award, Te Pou Irirangi Toa o Te Tau, at the Māori Radio Awards held in Rotorua last night.
The Eastern Bay of Plenty Māori radio station walked away with five awards in total.
Kahi Stevens of Tumeke FM says, “Let's continue to do the work, morning, night, night, morning- at the end of the day the Māori language and our culture has come out on top.”
Tumeke FM was a finalist in nine categories. The station won the awards for Best Station Imaging, Best Current Affairs or Talk Show, Best Programme Director, Best outside Broadcast and the supreme award of the night.
Head judge Raniera Winikerei says, “All the submissions from the Māori radio station from around the country were excellent. In those submissions you could see the hard work that was involved, the quality of the language and presentation.”
Te Korimako o Taranaki was another big winner on the night, taking home four awards, including a new award called E Tū Whānau - Inspiring Positive Change.
Matapaepae Urwin of Te Korimako says, “This award is for our colleague Diane Luke. She wasn't able to be here tonight. Between Leah and I we have accepted the award on her behalf.”
The Māori Radio Awards is a biennial event and this year there were 18 categories.
One of these categories looks at developing youth in the industry.
Riria Dalton-Reedy, winner of the youth award representing Radio Ngāti Porou, says, “This is a surprise. I’m up with the best of Māori broadcasters and I'm still young so I am very lucky to win this award for best youth show.”
For over 30 years Māori radio continues to be the eyes and ears of their listeners.