Is Ronan Keating NZ music's biggest fan?

Ronan Keating was a guest presenter at last night's New Zealand Music Awards - and he liked what he saw.

The Boyzone star presented the Tuis for Best Album and Best Single at the star-studded ceremony and today he applauded Kiwi stars' attitudes and abilities - and the awards themselves.

"To see such a mix of genres, from hip-hop to R&B to pop to rock, stand on their own individually and do so well is great," Keating told Stuff.co.nz.

"America has influenced so many countries musically. You go to The Brits and they're giving the Americans the awards.

"Think about this part of the world and the great music coming out of it and honour that. I saw it last night, it happened in New Zealand and it was great."

The singer of hits like When You Say Nothing At All loves New Zealand music so much he's even recording songs with Hayley Westenra and Adeaze to feature on a duets album coming out in November.

Keating, currently a judge of Australia's version of The X-Factor, had some advice for anyone wanting to audition when New Zealand's version of the talent show begins next year.

"Don't try and pick songs that you think will make the judges happy, pick songs that make you sound great. Pick the songs that make you shine. You've only got a minute and a half, and your time is up.

"If you don't impress, that's it."

Gin Wigmore and Stan Walker won four Tuis each, while Dane Rumble, Anika Moa, The Phoenix Foundation, David Dallas and The Checks also took home gongs.

- © Fairfax NZ News