And the entertainment heroes are . . .
FINALISTS Oscar Kightley
It’s hard to know where to start when it comes to Oscar Kightley’s career.
From his early theatre beginnings in Horizons to the beloved film Sione’s Wedding, cartoon series Bro’Town, police drama Harry and the heartwrenching Dawn Raids play — all written by the star in some capacity — the 54- year- old is a key figure in New Zealand’s entertainment industry.
In his multiple roles as actor, television presenter, writer, journalist, director and comedian, Kightley has earned many accolades including being appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to television and the theatre in 2009, and being awarded the Senior Pacific Artist Award with David Fane in 2016.
In recent years, Kightley has worked tirelessly on projects outside of the entertainment industry. He became an ambassador for Men’s Health Week last year and was elected to the Henderson-Massey local board representing the Labour Party in 2022.
He continues to work on projects close to his heart including the recently released Taika Waititi film, Next Goal Wins, which he described to the Herald as a hugely important film for Polynesians in the industry.
Kaylee Bell
Country singer Kaylee Bell is hitting all the right notes in America and back home in New Zealand.
Originally from Waimate, the 33- year- old rising star is paving the way for Kiwi women in the genre.
After becoming the first female Australasian country artist to be accredited gold for a single or EP in Australia in 20 years, she reached No 12 on the Billboard Chart for digital sales with her single, Keith, and was awarded Jeff Walker Global Country Artist at the Country Music Awards in the US.
Bell, who has toured with Ed Sheeran, The Chicks and worked with Keith Urban, became the face of Spotify’s EQUAL campaign for women in music which saw her featured in New York’s Times Square.
She is a big supporter of other women in the industry, including her friend Benee.
“I’m a massive fan of female artists and particularly from New Zealand.
I think I’ve always aspired to females that have gone and taken it on globally like she has.”
The Beths
It’s been a huge year for New Zealand indie rock band The Beths. Comprising vocalist Elizabeth Stokes, guitarist Jonathan Pearce, bassist Benjamin Sinclair and drummer Tristan Deck, The Beths were founded in 2014 but didn’t officially enter the mainstream until 2018 with their debut album, Future Me Hates Me.
The debut featured on countless Best of 2018 lists and was touted by Pitchfork as “one of the most impressive indie- rock debuts of the year”.
The four- piece band became beloved for their expert yet accessible pop tunes, and since then, they have toured internationally, won top album at the Aotearoa Music Awards, and earned rave reviews from publications including Rolling Stone.
This year, their importance in the industry became clear when, after being named in the top five for years, they finally took home an Apra Silver Scroll Award for their song Expert in a Dying Field.
Despite breaking into the international market and embarking on multiple overseas tours, the band have kept Aotearoa close to their hearts.
As they told the Herald in 2021, “Nothing is better than a hometown show”.
Don McGlashan
Music legend Don McGlashan needs little introduction in New Zealand, which is why it feels only right he’s landed a spot on our list. Known for creating Kiwi staples such as Anchor Me and Dominion Road with The Mutton Birds, as well as Bathe in the River, the star is often referred to as music royalty in Aotearoa.
From his industry debut playing French horn and percussion in the Auckland Symphonia ( now Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra), to The Mutton Birds, to composing for film and going solo, McGlashan has done it all. And as a composer, singersongwriter and multiinstrumentalist, he holds a pivotal role in the music community, which resulted in the ultimate honour this year when he was inducted into the Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa ( New Zealand Music Hall of Fame). The star teared up upon hearing the news, saying he felt “humbled” and
“really blessed”, adding, “Just to share that Hall of Fame with all the people back in New Zealand music history and current musicians, friends and colleagues that I’ve got, feels like something I never would have dreamed of growing up.”