VNZMAs 2017: Lorde celebrates homecoming with clean sweep

Lorde dominated the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards with a clean sweep, winning six prizes, including best album, best single and the publicly voted People's Choice Award.

The 21-year-old began the night on a high, winning the first award of the night for best solo artist, before returning to the stage to collect best pop artist.

She also claimed the International Achievement Award for the fourth time, before taking to the stage for a stunning live performance of her hit single Green Light.

The end of the night saw her claim a total of six awards, bringing her lifetime haul of New Zealand Music Awards to 18.

Accepting the award for Album of the Year, the Kiwi star brought her brother on stage to celebrate.

"This one is so important ... I put everything I had into this record, I gave it everything, I wasn't sure what the path was ... I think it's going to be one of the most important things I make."

Earlier, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern presented Lorde with the People's Choice award.

"I'm surprised I can be people's choice after all these years of harassing you," Lorde joked to a packed Spark Arena.

Onehunga rap crew SWIDT also had cause to celebrate, named best hip hop artist and claiming the best group title, while last year's breakthrough winner Kings was recognised for having the year's highest selling single and won the Radio Airplay Award for his single Don't Worry 'Bout It.

Hamilton rockers Devilskin were named the year's best rock artist, while indie darling Aldous Harding won best breakthrough act and best alternative artist. Harding was unable to claim her first VNZMA win in person as she was playing a soldout gig in Brussels.

The night's highlights included live performances by Teeks, Devilskin and Stellar*, who reformed to play a special tribute version of Maxine, honouring this year's Legacy Award recipient Sharon O'Neill.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Album of the Year
Winner: Lorde - Melodrama
Aldous Harding - Party
David Dallas - Hood Country Club
Fazerdaze - Morningside
LEISURE - LEISURE
SWIDT - Stoneyhunga

Single of the Year
Winner: Lorde - Green Light
David Dallas - Fit In
Ladi6 - Royal Blue
MAALA - In My Head
SWIDT - Player Of The Day
Theia - Roam

Best Group
Winner: SWIDT
Devilskin 
LEISURE 
Shapeshifter

Best Solo Artist
Winner: Lorde
Aldous Harding 
KINGS 
Nadia Reid

Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Winner: Aldous Harding 
Fazerdaze 
Nadia Reid 
Teeks

Best Rock Artist
Winner: Devilskin
Clap Clap Riot 
Graham Brazier

Best Pop Artist
Winner: Lorde 
Mitch James
Theia

Best Alternative Artist
Winner: Aldous Harding 
Fazerdaze 
Nadia Reid

Best Soul/RnB Artist
Winner: Ladi6 
Teeks
Tommy Nee

Best Hip Hop Artist
Winner: SWIDT
David Dallas 
KINGS

Best Roots Artist
Winner: Israel Starr 
Sons of Zion 
Tomorrow People

Best Electronic Artist
Winner: Truth
Chaos In The CBD
K+Lab

Best Māori Artist
Winner: Teeks
Alien Weaponry

Best Worship Artist
Winner: Curate Music 
Josh & Amberley Klinkenberg 
Juliagrace

Best Classical Artist
Winner: NZTrio
Jenny McLeod 
Te Kōkī Trio

People's Choice Award
Winner: Lorde 
Kings
Maala
SWIDT 
Theia

Highest Selling Single
Kings - Don't Worry 'Bout It
Highest Selling Album
The Koi Boys - Meant To Be
Airplay Record of the Year
Kings - Don't Worry 'Bout It
International Achievement
Lorde
Opetaia Foa'i

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission.