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 A.R.T here, and check out our chat with Sam V below.
After missing out at the age of 23 (more on that below), Sam V has become a mainstay at the Pacific Music Awards. He’s up for Best Pacific Male Artist, Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist, and more big awards this year.
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Sam V dropped the wonderful titled Take a Chance on V — and its deluxe version — last year, a proper old-school R&B collection, which followed a busy year of touring on both sides of the Tasman.
Tickets for the 2026 Pacific Music Awards ceremony are available here.
Rolling Stone AU/NZ: Firstly, what does it mean to you to be nominated at this year’s Pacific Music Awards?
Sam V: The PMAs have taught me that I can strive for greatness and be recognised for it. I’ll always be grateful to be part of its history.
Does being nominated for a Pacific Music Award mean more to you than, say, being nominated for the Silver Scroll or Aotearoa Music Awards?
All awards celebrating our creatives are dope. The Pacific Music Awards was definitely the one I was most eager to be part of and contribute to. I remember at 23 being irked I wasn’t a finalist… that motivated me and now it’s been an annual celebration and milestone for the last five years.
Are you excited for the ceremony? What are you expecting from the night?
Can’t wait. I’m gassed to watch my peers perform.
Was music important to you growing up?
I started singing at 2 and posting covers on YouTube at 7. It’s an integral part of everything for me.
Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?
Brandy, MJ, Aaradhna, Brian McKnight.
Tell us about your latest release. What themes did you explore?
Take a Chance on V was my take on the R&B of yesteryear. The stuff I love listening to and the sound I grew up idolising. It’s very romance-centric and there’s a big emphasis on musicality and vocals, of course.
Tell us about one up-and-coming Pacific music artist you think our readers should know about.
Kiridox, the Prince of Welly, is the hardest-working artist in our music industry. I’m proud of his growth so far.
Do you think this is one of the most exciting eras for Pacific music?
I’ll use this question to name some of my favourite Pacific artists coming through; Brandn Shiraz, Juga, Elena, Hales, Valle, RNZŌ, Ezra Neal, Kiridox.
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Do you think Pacific music artists get enough industry support in Aotearoa? Could more be done?
More could be done to support all of our artists in NZ. How good would it be if more international acts utilised local openers? Imagine MELODOWNZ/SWIDT/RNZŌ opening for J. Cole. Would amplify their craft and our local scene so much.
What else have you got coming up in 2026 and beyond?
I’ve got a collaborative project with Choicevaughan called Vice & Virtues. It’s done, we just gotta roll it out yurrrr, excited for y’all to hear. Other than that, just looking to keep creating leeway in the US.
