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Invercargill country singer Jacinta Kerepeti took home six awards at the 2026 New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards held in Gore last week.
She won in the overall classics, classic NZ song, classic country rock, classic gospel and classic new country categories.
Her vocal trio The Wild Flowers also took home the award for open vocal group, covering the Topp Twins songs Meet me mama.
"We dedicated it to Jools Topp, it was amazing to sing it for Linda, who was in the audience."
Kerepeti had been attending the Gold Guitars since she was 11, crediting her passion for country music to her mother.
"My mum started me and my younger sister in country music back then and mum was our seamstress, amazing seamstress."
After taking a break to raise a family, she decided to make her return to country music competitions.
"The last about 10 years or so, I sort of got back in there and started going up and down New Zealand competing."
She was very pleased to take home six awards this year and said it was satisfying to see the hard work she had put in paying off.
"Hard work does pay, do the mahi, reap the rewards."
A song she composed herself won the gospel section this year. Titled Sometimes It Takes a Mountain, it focuses on how big events can change the course of your life.
"Whatever happens, sometimes it does take something big in your life to actually shake you or move you."
After her mother’s death in 2023, she felt connected to her through music.
"I feel like mum was with me at different moments and I feel like I was there for her too."
There were fond memories of her and her sister being taken to different country music competitions all around New Zealand when they were younger.
"[Music] crosses all age groups, it provides messages to every individual or group . . . it can be really helpful, it’s such a powerful platform."
She had loved seeing the meteoric rise of country as a genre, especially in the mainstream.
"The country flavour is back and it’s strong as ever."
Kerepeti had seen the genre take a "modern yet traditional turn", from young artists who had become household names.
"The younger audiences are tuning in now because it’s modern, but it’s not so far modern that you cant feel the country vibe."
Next, she will be off to Tamworth Australia for the Golden Guitar Awards in 2027, not to be confused with the Gold Guitars.
She also won an opportunity to record with country singer Dan Cosgrove, in the North Island.
For the time being, she would be taking some time off to rest, and said her experience at the Gold Guitars was "amazing".