We’re just one day out from the 2026 Pacific Music Awards.
The finalists were revealed in June, with 33 incredible artists recognised across 13 categories this year, highlighting the depth and diversity of music talent in Aotearoa and across the Moana. Scribe, Ladi6, MELODOWNZ, RNZŌ, Brandn Shiraz, and many more are in the running for gongs this year.
Check out the full list of finalists here.
Leading the way, however, are female vocal group A.R.T, who previously featured in our Up-And-Coming Aotearoa Artists series, and R&B star Sam V, with five nominations apiece.
We caught up with both frontrunners ahead of the official ceremony, which takes place tomorrow (August 12th) at Manukau’s Due Drop Events Centre.
Read our interview with Sam V here, and check out our chat with A.R.T below.
Tickets for the 2026 Pacific Music Awards ceremony are available here.
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Rolling Stone AU/NZ: Firstly, what does it mean to you to be nominated at this year’s Pacific Music Awards?
A.R.T: It’s a huge honour for us. As Pacific artists, this recognition means so much because it’s coming from a community that’s shaped who we are. We don’t make music for awards, but having our work acknowledged by our own people is incredibly humbling. It reminds us that the stories we’re telling are reaching people, and that’s really special.
Does being nominated for a Pacific Music Award mean more to you than, say, being nominated for the Silver Scroll or Aotearoa Music Awards?
Every nomination is something to be proud of, and each one represents something different. But the Pacific Music Awards will always hold a unique place for us because they’re centred around our communities, our cultures and our stories. It feels like a celebration of who we are, not just what we do.
Are you excited for the ceremony? What are you expecting from the night?
Definitely! We’re looking forward to celebrating with everyone. The Pacific music community is so supportive, so it’s always nice catching up with familiar faces and celebrating each other’s achievements. It’s one of those nights where you leave feeling really inspired by everything Pacific artists are creating.
Was music important to you growing up?
Music has always been a huge part of our lives. Whether it was church, family gatherings, cultural events or just singing at home, music was always there. It wasn’t just entertainment, it brought people together, carried our stories and became a big part of our identities growing up.
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Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?
We all grew up with slightly different influences, but one thing we have in common is our admiration for the artists who paved the way for Pacific music. Fiji is without a doubt one of the greatest to ever do it. His songwriting, his musicianship and the way his music has brought Pacific people together across generations is something we really admire. His catalogue has become part of the soundtrack to so many of our lives.
We also grew up listening to Pacific Soul. Seeing a female Pacific group carry themselves with so much class, confidence and authenticity was incredibly inspiring. They showed young Pacific women that there was space for us in the industry, and they helped lay the foundation for artists like us to dream bigger.
Tell us about your latest release. What themes did you explore?
“Givin’ It Up” is definitely our cheekiest song yet! On the surface it’s about intimacy and celebrating the person you love, but underneath that it’s really about trust, vulnerability, and choosing to give yourself completely to someone who makes you feel safe.
We wanted to capture that excitement of being completely into someone, the butterflies, the chemistry, and the confidence that comes with knowing you’re with the right person. It’s playful, flirty, and fun, but it’s also rooted in love and genuine connection.
We love writing songs that feel honest, and this one definitely lets us show a more confident, grown side of A.R.T.
Tell us about one up-and-coming Pacific music artist you think our readers should know about.
There are honestly so many talented Pacific artists coming through right now that it’s hard to name just one. However, we’ve been absolutely obsessed with Ezra Neal lately. His song “Tell Me” has basically become our official wind-down soundtrack after long hours in the studio. It’s one of those songs that comes on during the drive home and everyone just goes quiet and lets it play.
Safe to say it’s gone double platinum in our car! We’re genuinely excited to see what he does next and can’t wait to hear more from him.
Do you think this is one of the most exciting eras for Pacific music?
Absolutely. Pacific artists are creating music across so many different genres while proudly representing who they are. More people are hearing our stories than ever before, and audiences are embracing that authenticity. It’s exciting to be part of a generation that’s helping expand what Pacific music can look and sound like.
Do you think Pacific music artists get enough industry support in Aotearoa? Could more be done?
We’ve definitely seen positive change, and we’re grateful for the organisations and people who continue to champion Pacific artists. At the same time, there’s always room for more investment in artist development, touring, mentoring and long-term career support. Pacific artists have so much to offer, and continuing to invest in that talent benefits the entire industry.
What else have you got coming up in 2026 and beyond?
We’re also working on Nana’s Garage Vol. 2! After releasing “Pele Moana” as a side project this year and seeing the amazing response, we knew we had to head back into Nana’s Garage. We can’t wait to bring listeners another collection of old school inspired bangers that celebrate the music we grew up loving.
Alongside new music, we’re looking to get back on stage with more live performances because that’s where A.R.T really comes alive. There’s nothing quite like connecting with people face-to-face through music.
And who knows… maybe we’ll be manifesting an A.R.T tour in the very near future. We’d absolutely love to bring the music to more people around Aotearoa and beyond, so watch this space!
