This year’s Taite Music Prize finalists have been revealed.
Independent Music NZ (IMNZ) today announced the nominees for the Taite Music Prize’s 16th year, with 10 excellent Aotearoa albums released in 2024 chosen from a record-breaking 80 submissions.
Hoping to follow last year’s winner Vera Ellen are Georgia Lines, Fazerdaze, MOKOTRON, DARTZ, and more. Check out the finalists in full below.
The winning album will be announced on April 15th at Q Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, with the winner set to receive a cash prize of $12,500 courtesy of Recorded Music NZ.
The Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award, NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award, IMNZ Classic Record, and Independent Spirit Award will also be presented at the ceremony.
“As we enter this exciting time of year we are thrilled once again to celebrate the immense creativity and passion that Aotearoa/New Zealand’s music scene has to offer. It’s an opportunity to honour those who push the boundaries, inspire others and enrich our cultural landscape,” Dylan Pellett, IMNZ General Manager, says.
Vera Ellen won the 2024 Taite Music Prize for her second album, Ideal Home Noise. Rolling Stone AU/NZ caught up with her backstage following her win, where she said she was “still in shock.”
“You know how you think that people will secretly know, and then they just act shocked? Like, no, I literally didn’t know. I remember just sitting there when they were announcing the nominees, just feeling so happy because I’m like, ‘Look at all these amazing nominees I’m with,’ just chillin’. And then when it was my name called – I’m still really shocked, honestly,” she revealed.
More information about the 2025 Taite Music Prize is available here.
2025 Taite Music Prize Finalists:
Anna Coddington – Te Whakamiha (Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa)
DARTZ – Dangerous Day to Be a Cold One (Flying Nun Records)
Delaney Davidson – Out of My Head (Rough Diamond)
Earth Tongue – Great Haunting (In The Red Records)
Fazerdaze – Soft Power (Buttrfly Records)
Georgia Lines – The Rose of Jericho (independent)
Holly Arrowsmith – Blue Dreams (Leather Jacket Records)
Mel Parsons – Sabotage (Cape Road Recordings)
MOKOTRON – WAEREA (Sunreturn)
Troy Kingi – Leatherman & the Mojave Green (AllGood Absolute Alternative Records)
