Apakuki Nalawa, better known as KUKI, has been named as a finalist for Best International Pacific Artist at the upcoming 2025 Pacific Music Awards(PMA) in New Zealand.
The Music Awards, now in their 21st year, have long served as a vital platform for honoring Pacific voices, whose music speaks to identity, heritage, and creative resilience.
KUKI’s among a record 34 finalists across 13 categories, including 15 debut nominees.
The awards will be held next Thursday at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau, Auckland.
KUKI says this is bigger than one person or one sound—it’s about carrying our identity wherever we go.
He says he is proud to stand for Fiji in this way and honoured to be included among the so many gifted Pacific creatives.
With his distinctive voice, deeply rooted lyrics, and a style that bridges traditional storytelling with contemporary energy, KUKI has carved out a meaningful space in Pacific music.
His songs speak to themes of belonging, faith, strength, and island pride—delivered with honesty and a commitment to craft that resonates across generations and geographies.
Whether performing for his local community or international audiences, his work remains grounded in who he is and where he comes from.
The PMA nomination affirms not just his rising presence, but a wider recognition of Fijian stories being told—and heard—on global stages.
Since the Best International Pacific Artist category was introduced in 2014, only one other Fijian artist has received this honour—the late George “FIJI” Veikoso, who was the first-ever recipient and remains one of the region’s most influential musical pioneers.
Over a decade later, KUKI becomes only the second Fijian artist to be recognized in this category—a moment that speaks volumes about his contribution and Fiji’s growing presence in the Pacific’s musical landscape.
This year’s nomination is more than a recognition of artistic achievement—it is a celebration of cultural continuity, of language and heritage carried through rhythm and melody, and of Fijian identity taking its rightful place within a wider regional legacy.
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