2026 Aotearoa Music Awards Finalists Revealed

The finalists for the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards have been unveiled.

Marlon Williams leads the way with seven nominations thanks to Te Whare Tīwekaweka, his first fully te reo Māori album. Williams' record is also in the running for this year's Taite Music Prize.

Check out the full list of finalists below.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at The Civic in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on Thursday, May 28th. The event will be livestreamed on RNZ.

“Congratulations to the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards finalists," Recorded Music NZ CEO, Jo Oliver, says. "The finalists are a shining example of the range and diversity of musical talent here in New Zealand. From the biggest musical successes of the year to exciting new emerging artists and their music, it is a privilege to promote and celebrate Aotearoa music and to see local artists succeed here and overseas."

For more information, visit aotearoamusicawards.co.nz

2026 Aotearoa Music Awards Finalists

NZ On Air Te Tino Pukaemi o te Tau | Album of the Year

Geneva AM – Pikipiki Kaylee Bell – Cowboy Up Ladi6 – Le Vā Lorde – Virgin MĀ – Blame It on the Weather Marlon Williams – Te Whare Tīwekaweka MOKOMOKAI – PONO Reb Fountain – How Love Bends Tami Neilson – Neon Cowgirl The Beths – Straight Line Was a Lie Tom Scott – ANITYA Troy Kingi – Troy Kingi Presents: Night Lords

Spotify Te Tino Waiata o te Tau | Single of the Year

Alien Weaponry – "Mau Moko" Fazerdaze – "Motorway" Hori Shaw & Te Wehi – "Ready to Ride" Ladi6 – "LightBulb" Lorde – "What Was That" Marlon Williams – "Aua Atu Rā" Paige – "twenties" Tami Neilson – "Neon Cowgirl" (feat. Neil Finn) The Beths – "Metal" The Phoenix Foundation – "Vampire Class" There’s a Tuesday – "Margo" Tom Scott – "till then"

Te Tino Kāhui Manu Taki o te Tau | Best Group

Alien Weaponry – Te Rā Dick Move – Dream, Believe, Achieve MOKOMOKAI – PONO Phoebe Rings – Aseurai Ringlets – The Lord Is My German Shepherd (Time for Walkies) The Beths – Straight Line Was a Lie

Te Tino Reo o te Tau | Best Solo Artist

Geneva AM – Pikipiki Ladi6 – Le Vā Lorde – Virgin Marlon Williams – Te Whare Tīwekaweka Tami Neilson – Neon Cowgirl Tom Scott – ANITYA

Te Māngai Pāho Mana Reo

Hamo Dell – "Tā Roha" Marlon Williams – Te Whare Tīwekaweka MOHI – "Ka Rea’"(feat. Pare) Nikau Grace – "He Aha Te Aha" (feat. Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue) Rob Ruha, Troy Kingi & Kaylee Bell – "Matariki Hunga Nui" Stan Walker – "Mō Āke Tonu" (feat. Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke)

Te Māngai Pāho Te Manu Taki Māori o te Tau | Best Māori Artist

Hori Shaw – "I Know a Place", "Ready to Ride" (w. Te Wehi), "Catch a Wave" MĀ – Blame It on the Weather Marlon Williams – Te Whare Tīwekaweka Stan Walker – "Bulletproof", "Soul Deep", "Could You Be Loved" – from Live From Parachute Studios, 2025 TAWAZ – "Tuituia Rā" (w. Chris Tamwoy & Marei), "E Ipo" (w. Mereana & HERA), "Te Wahine" (w. Emily Wurramara) Te Wehi – "Ready to Ride" (w. Hori Shaw), "Unfortunately", "Raining", "Didn’t Change a Thing", "OH AH", "Far Far Away", "Light Up", "Masterly Man"

Te Manu Taki Whanokē o te Tau | Best Alternative Artist

Grecco Romank – Arts Colony MĀ – Blame It on the Weather Phoebe Rings – Aseurai

Te Manu Taki Tuauki o te Tau | Best Classical Artist

Jade String Quartet & Anthony Ritchie – Melencolia Michael Norris – Rerenga Moth Quartet – Tundra

Te Manu Taki Tuawhenua o te Tau | Best Country Music Artist

Jenny Mitchell – Forest House Kaylee Bell – Cowboy Up Tami Neilson – Neon Cowgirl

BurgerFuel Te Manu Taki Tāhiko o te Tau | Best Electronic Artist

Caru & Brandn Shiraz – Back 2 Back Geneva AM – Pikipiki Sanoi – Augenblick: Side A

Te Manu Taki Ahurea o te Tau | Best Folk Artist

Mel Parsons – "Don't Leave the Light On", "Be Here Now", "Brick By Brick", "Post High Slide" Nadia Reid – Enter Now Brightness Ny Oh – Wildwood

Te Manu Taki Ātete o te Tau | Best Hip Hop Artist

Diggy Dupé & choicevaughan – Brown Velvet MOKOMOKAI – PONO Troy Kingi – Troy Kingi Presents: Night Lords

Te Manu Taki Tautito o te Tau | Best Jazz Artist

Clear Path Ensemble – Black Sand Darren Pickering Small Worlds – Three Louisa Williamson – Groundwork

Te Manu Taki Arotini o te Tau | Best Pop Artist

BENEE – Ur an Angel I'm Just Particles Borderline – Chrysalis Lorde – Virgin

Te Manu Taki Rakapīoi / Rakatū Pāorooro o te Tau | Best Rock / Metal Artist

Alien Weaponry – Te Rā Beastwars – The Ship // The Sea Dick Move – Dream, Believe, Achieve

Te Manu Taki Taketake o te Tau | Best Roots Artist

Hori Shaw – "I Know a Place", "Ready to Ride" (w. Te Wehi), "Catch a Wave" Te Wehi – ‘Ready To Ride’ (w. Hori Shaw), "Unfortunately", "Raining", "Didn’t Change a Thing", "OH AH", "Far Far Away", "Light Up", "Masterly Man" Three Houses Down – Lovers Roots

Te Manu Taki Manako o te Tau | Best Soul/RnB Artist

A.R.T – Blank Canvas Sam V – Take a Chance on V: Deluxe Tom Scott – ANITYA

ARTISAN AWARDS

Te Taumata o te Toi | Best Album Artwork

Elliot O'Donnell, Jaime Robertson – New Tomorrows (Sola Rosa) Laura Williams – ANITYA (Tom Scott) Nick Keller – The Ship // The Sea (Beastwars)

Te Taumata o te Pūkenga Oro | Best Engineer

Ben Lawson – ANITYA (Tom Scott) James Goldsmith – The Ship // The Sea (Beastwars) Mark Perkins – Te Whare Tīwekaweka (Marlon Williams)

NZ On Air Te Taumata o te Ataata | Best Music Video Content

Stan Walker & Abe Mora – "Mō Āke Tonu" (Stan Walker feat. Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke) Stella Reid – "Scared Old Men" (Dick Move) Tom Grut – "Ed’s Sun" (Aidan Fine)

Te Taumata o te Kaiwhakaputa | Best Producer

Ben Lawson – ANITYA (Tom Scott) Leroy Clampitt – "Pussy Palace", "Sleepwalking", "Fruity Loops", ‘Beg for Me" (Lily Allen) Marlon Williams, Mark Perkins – Te Whare Tīwekaweka (Marlon Williams)