Bay of Plenty artists Ria Hall and Tiki Taane, along with co-writer Te Ori Paki, have received the Maioha Award at the 2018 APRA Silver Scroll Awards for the ballad ‘Te Ahi Kai Po'.

The APRA Maioha Award recognises exceptional waiata featuring te reo Maori.

The song is from Ria's new album The Rules of Engagement, and follows on from her Best Female Artist award at the 11th annual Waiata Maori Music Awards last month.

Te Ahi Kai Po (the fire burning in the darkness) is about finding resolution in tragic circumstances, and healing after the tragedy of war. It also raises awareness of inter-generational cultural disenfranchisement and draws on Ria's own family history.

Tribute was paid to the winning trio at the 2018 APRA Silver Scroll Awards last week, with a moving performance of Te Ahi Kai Po by Teeks (Te Karehana Gardiner Toi) supported by Nick Dow and Nga Tumanako kapa haka group. The performance can be viewed on YouTube.

This is the 16th year in which the APRA Maioha Award has been presented, with artists such as Ruia Aperahama, Ngahiwi Apanui, Whirimako Black, Robert Ruha, Maisey Rika, Stan Walker, Troy Kingi, and Alien Weaponry all having received Te Ngore – the Maioha award sculpture carved by Brian Flintoff.