The finalists for the Pacific Music Awards have been announced with many first-time nominees making the list for the 2020 music awards.

The nominations are led by New Zealand-born Tokelauan and Tuvaluan singer Olivia Foa'i, and Auckland rappers Church & AP, with four each.

Amongst the many Pacific artists nominees announced on Wednesday night through Facebook livestream, are Samoan Artists Punialavaa and Lani Alo. 

Punialavaa is no stranger to the Pacific Music Awards, having been nominated three years in a row. 

They were first nominated in 2018 when they received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Later on in 2018 they were awarded the Sunpix best Pacific Language award. 

This year they have been nominated for two awards, Sunpix best Pacific Language award and PMN Best Pacific Gospel Artist.

Nanai Viellani Lale Peteru of Punialavaa fame, said: "We are very happy, excited, grateful, and honored to be nominated again the third time in a row.

This year's award ceremony has been delayed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic with a date yet to be confirmed by the awards organisers.

Pacific Music Award nominees 2020

Best Pacific Music Video

- Disciple Pati, "The Boy Who Cried Woman"

- Lou'ana, "Eye to Eye"

- SWIDT, "Bunga"

Best Producer

- Deera Meelan for Church & AP's "Teeth"

- Kings for "Hit That"

- Tia Drummer and Edy for Mikey Mayz's "Wild People"

- Matatia Foa'i for Olivia Foa'i's "Candid"

Best International Pacific Artist

- HP Boyz, "Engineers."

- Josh Tatofi, "Ua Kui a Lawa."

- Kaiit, "Miss Shiny."

Best Pacific Language

- Lani Alo, "Alo i Ou Faiva"

- Olivia Foa'i, "Candid"

- Punialava'a, "Sili'aga i Fa'atufugaga"

- Shepherds Reign, "Le Manu"

Best Pacific Gospel Artist

- JXN, "Talako Dragon."

- Lani Alo, "Alo i Ou Faiva."

- Punialava'a, "Sili'aga i Fa'atufugaga"

Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist

- Church & AP, "Teeth."

- Melodownz, "No Mercy" (feat. Denzel Curry)

- Poetik, "Hamofied EP 2"

Best Pacific Soul and R&B Artist

- Jordan Gavet, "Hesitation."

- Lepani, "Pocket Full of Love"

- Lou'ana, "Move Along."

- Noah Slee, "Twice"

Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist

- General Fiyah, "It's You" (feat. Three Houses Down)

- Lomez Brown, "Tell Me"

- Raggadat Cris, "I Swear"

- Tomorrow People, "Fever" (feat. Fiji)

Best Pacific Song

- General Fiyah, "It's You" (feat. Three Houses Down)

- Lani Alo, "Alo i Ou Faiva."

- Shepherds Reign, "Le Manu."

Best Pacific Male Artist

- Lepani, "Pocket Full of Love"

- Poetik, "Hamofied EP 2"

- Noah Slee, "Twice"

Best Pacific Female Artist

- Bella Kalolo, "Ends of the Earth."

- Lou'ana, "Move Along."

- Olivia Foa'i, "Candid."

Best Pacific Group

- Church & AP, "Teeth."

- Shepherds Reign, "Le Manu."

- Tomorrow People, "Fever" (feat. Fiji)

Best Pacific Music Album

- Church & AP, "Teeth."

- Olivia Foa'i, "Candid."

- Poetik, "Hamofied EP 2"