Rob Ruha took out the coveted Maioha award at the APRA Silver Scrolls for 2014.
This was the 49th year the APRA Silver Scroll was held and Wellington played host to the most talent singer and songwriters from around New Zealand last night.
It was nervous times for new kids on the block and members of the band Manea at the Silver Scrolls.
Amomai Pihama, Kororia Taumaunu and Matt Sadgrove were nominated for their waiata 'Kei Muri Pea', a huge surprise for the trio.
Nominated for his song Tiki Tapu, it was Rob Ruha who took out the Maioha award.
Ruha says haka is a crucial part of their musical creativity but this contemporary form is great for rangatahi Māori to see how cool their language can be.
There's no doubt we will see these Māori composers again in the near future.