International award

Te Vaka's Opetaia Foa'i, who last week won the New Zealand Music Award for International Achievement, was part of the team that composed the soundtrack for Moana.

The film, Maria, is about the matriarch of a large Polynesian family who lies bedridden and silent, unable or unwilling to speak after a long illness.

But when a family crisis strike, Maria gets some unexpected help as she struggles to reunite her fractured family.

The film was written by Samoan Tokelauan Taofia Pelesasa, and directed by Samoan Jeremiah Tauamiti.

Maria is played by Leiataua Si'ulepa who at 80 years-old is fast making a name for herself in acting roles in New Zealand.

The organisation is run by volunteers to help eliminate violence and sexual abuse against women and girls.

RNZ reports twenty groups from around the world have been recognised this year.

Samoa Victim Support Group President Siliniu Lina Change said it was the first time a Pacific country had won the award.

"Despite the frustration, the struggles that Victim Support has been facing, the accusations that have been hurled to Victim Support, we're still here and we want all the people that have confidence and been working together and supporting us, this if or them."